serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters.
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⟨a serious play about social injustice⟩
grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.
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⟨read the proclamation in a grave voice⟩
solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.
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⟨a sad and solemn occasion⟩
sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.
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⟨remained sedate amid the commotion⟩
staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.
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⟨a quiet and staid community⟩
sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.
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⟨a sober look at the state of our schools⟩
earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.
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