sanity

noun

san·​i·​ty ˈsa-nə-tē How to pronounce sanity (audio)
: the quality or state of being sane
especially : soundness or health of mind

Examples of sanity in a Sentence

People have begun to doubt his sanity. She is the mother of six children but somehow keeps her sanity. The sanity of the decision was never in question.
Recent Examples on the Web Thankfully, both sanity and the rule of law prevailed. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Adults will appreciate the adjustable volume control for sensitive ears (and sanity), and the automatic shut-off feature helps save battery. Maya Polton, Parents, 8 Mar. 2024 Only our youngest, Juliana, remains an island of sanity in a sea of automotive chaos. Maria Garriott, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024 This will be a further assault on people’s sanity… or what’s left of it. Tj Hutchinson, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2024 The Apple show occasionally went viral for confrontational interviews, but where Bush-era Stewart was a soothing source of exasperated sanity, political comedy during the Trump years could feel like a futile shaking of a fist in the face of a cultural tsunami. Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Feb. 2024 Anna's struggle to hang on to her sanity is sometimes over the top, but patient viewers are rewarded with a powerful shock ending. Danny Horn, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2024 The multi-leg journey is, by his calculus, less demanding on his wallet and sanity than driving directly to and from Dallas each day. Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Feb. 2024 Her sharpness and sanity, moodiness and skepticism are the appeal. Dwight Garner, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sanity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sanite, from Anglo-French sanité, from Latin sanitat-, sanitas health, sanity, from sanus healthy, sane

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sanity

Cite this Entry

“Sanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sanity

noun
san·​i·​ty ˈsan-ət-ē How to pronounce sanity (audio)
: the quality or state of being sane

Medical Definition

sanity

noun
san·​i·​ty ˈsan-ət-ē How to pronounce sanity (audio)
plural sanities
: the quality or state of being sane
especially : soundness or health of mind

Legal Definition

sanity

noun
san·​i·​ty
: the quality or state of being sane compare insanity

More from Merriam-Webster on sanity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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