as in gravity
formal
a very serious quality or manner
The new leader has an air of gravitas that commands respect. a comic actress who lacks the gravitas for dramatic roles
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Recent Examples of gravitas
More competent and less malleable than Henry, Potter had a gravitas befitting a show that was growing in ambition.
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James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2022
Some fiction podcasts ape true crime, borrowing that genre’s structure and tropes in order to achieve a suspenseful gravitas.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022
His range was wide, but Hall, who had a natural gravitas, often played men in suits, trench coats and lab coats.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2022
Baseball holds a particular gravitas in the world of sports.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 8 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for gravitas 
James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2022
Some fiction podcasts ape true crime, borrowing that genre’s structure and tropes in order to achieve a suspenseful gravitas.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 14 July 2022
His range was wide, but Hall, who had a natural gravitas, often played men in suits, trench coats and lab coats.
—Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2022
Baseball holds a particular gravitas in the world of sports.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 8 May 2022
See all Example Sentences for gravitas
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gravitas
Noun
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After finding the granddaughter inside the car and the sinkhole just steps away, rescuers first realized the gravity of the woman’s disappearance.Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024
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The area with the greatest geopolitical gravity is arms sales.Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The story begins in muted tones representing grief before transitioning to warmer colors that mirror his growing determination and eventual path to acceptance.Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
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However, one rapper reigned supreme, showing not only determination and consistency, but the willingness to listen and really learn from a few industry vets: dreTL!Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The trek starts in earnest on April 29 in Salt Lake City and will run through July 1 in San Francisco.SPIN Staff, SPIN, 19 Nov. 2024
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Alec Baldwin’s involuntary manslaughter trial in the Rust set shooting started in earnest on Wednesday, July 10, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with opening statements.Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 10 July 2024
Noun
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The cast does try, though, with Fassbender leveling his unyielding gaze on yet another role driven by intense, near-constant solemnity.Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Nov. 2024
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Sure, the solemnity of the opening grew ever so slightly sluggish, and slow parts of the finale were drawn out past the point of creating useful contrast.Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Living in a complex with neighbors facing substance abuse and mental health struggles tested his resolve.Ryan Macasero, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024
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Nowhere was this more evident than in Brazil, where, under conditions ever-challenging, the Enstone outfit managed to maintain composure to secure a stunning double podium—a sense of resolve that also reverberates through the words of their Team Principal, Oliver Oakes.Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Gravitas.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gravitas. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
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