as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling
we knew from the doctor's seriousness that she didn't have good news
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Recent Examples of seriousness
Not to underplay the seriousness of the situation, of course, but the suspect never made it inside.
—
Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The Timberwolves gathered around DiVincenzo, recognizing the potential seriousness of his injury.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
That concern reflects a broader collapse in confidence in the seriousness of the American approach.
—Jon Duffy, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Near-term expansion buys time and demonstrates political seriousness, while long-term network building is the only configuration that delivers resilience that is structural rather than situational.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The statue was a parabolic gesture of high seriousness aimed at African American veterans, newly returned from World War II.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
In all seriousness, there are deep questions about how Ternus feels about Apple’s move into the world of traditional TV and film production.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Stone-faced, with deadly seriousness, McDaniels called out Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the rest of the Nuggets for their poor defense.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Wearing golden slippers and a modest cardigan against the snow piled high in the streets of her hometown of Leknes, the largest municipality in Lofoten, her nonchalance toward the Arctic cold switched to seriousness when discussing her work.
—Alan Crawford, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The Timberwolves gathered around DiVincenzo, recognizing the potential seriousness of his injury.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
That concern reflects a broader collapse in confidence in the seriousness of the American approach.
—Jon Duffy, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Near-term expansion buys time and demonstrates political seriousness, while long-term network building is the only configuration that delivers resilience that is structural rather than situational.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
The statue was a parabolic gesture of high seriousness aimed at African American veterans, newly returned from World War II.
—Horace D. Ballard, Artforum, 22 Apr. 2026
In all seriousness, there are deep questions about how Ternus feels about Apple’s move into the world of traditional TV and film production.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Apr. 2026
Stone-faced, with deadly seriousness, McDaniels called out Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and the rest of the Nuggets for their poor defense.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Wearing golden slippers and a modest cardigan against the snow piled high in the streets of her hometown of Leknes, the largest municipality in Lofoten, her nonchalance toward the Arctic cold switched to seriousness when discussing her work.
—Alan Crawford, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seriousness
Noun
-
When one of these clouds fragments into parts, gravity causes pockets within the fragments to collapse, with the density and temperature at the core of each pocket rising.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kapetan’s yearning, intimate voice is still front and center, mixing and modernizing elements of favorites of the aughts like Conor Oberst (his earnestness), Ben Kweller (his wit), and Sufjan Stevens (his beauty).—
Brendan Hay,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Not too serious or sappy, but with room for both earnestness and whimsy.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There were plenty of moments of silliness to go along with the solemnity in Tuesday’s show.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Good Friday and Holy Saturday will be observed in local Catholic churches with characteristic solemnity, dignity and beauty.—
From staff reports,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Seriousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seriousness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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