Synonyms for Serious
Definition of serious
adjective
- concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities; "a serious student of history"; "a serious attempt to learn to ski"; "gave me a serious look"; "a serious young man"; "are you serious or joking?"; "Don't be so serious!"
- of great consequence; "marriage is a serious matter"
- causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm; "a dangerous operation"; "a grave situation"; "a grave illness"; "grievous bodily harm"; "a serious wound"; "a serious turn of events"; "a severe case of pneumonia"; "a life-threatening disease"
19 synonyms found
Writing tips for "serious"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like critical, dangerous, difficult can replace "serious" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 19 alternatives available, "serious" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Serious" in song lyrics
See how serious is used in real songs:
-
"A brother only gets through life if he's serious"
415 — Court in the Street -
"Am I goin to court? Hell nah, you serious?"
415 — Court in the Street -
"Struggle of the forces - serious"
Aceyalone — Organic Electricity