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.

At least 20 of the injured are in a serious condition, a health official told the Reuters news agency.

From BBC

The Brookings analysis suggests that the problem of these combined vulnerabilities, while serious, is bounded.

From The Wall Street Journal

But unlike Kirk, Mr. Fuentes isn’t interested in deliberation or engaging others in serious conversation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then last September, just before the start of the football season, she started to experience serious pain in her leg.

From Los Angeles Times

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

From BBC