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Showing results for serious.
Definitions

serious

[seer-ee-uhs] / ˈsɪər i əs /
ADJECTIVE
somber, humorless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deliberate genuine honest severe sincere thoughtful
STRONG
sober
WEAK
austere bound bound and determined businesslike cold sober contemplative deadpan determined downbeat earnest funereal go for broke grave grim intent long-faced meditative no-nonsense pensive pokerfaced reflective resolute resolved sedate set solemn staid steady stern unhumorous unsmiling weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deceptive dishonest false insincere misleading untrustworthy
WEAK
flippant funny happy light minor trivial unimportant unserious
ADJECTIVE
crucial, weighty
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dangerous deep difficult far-reaching grievous important major meaningful severe significant tough urgent
WEAK
arduous fateful fell formidable grave grim hard heavy laborious meaning business menacing momentous no joke no laughing matter of consequence operose out for blood playing hard ball pressing smoking sobering strenuous strictly business threatening ugly unamusing unhumorous worrying
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm easy facile friendly insignificant little meaningless minor small trivial unimportant worthless
WEAK
flippant funny happy light unserious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If I wanted to do serious work on behalf of gay people, I needed more than slogans and passion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

“These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence,” they added.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Woods has had multiple surgeries following a serious road accident in 2021 and has played only a limited schedule.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Earlier this week, the IMF flagged that the war could have a serious effect on low-income countries if food prices rise significantly.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Getting very serious, she took another look around and started talking in a whisper.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.