sobriety

noun

so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ə-tē How to pronounce sobriety (audio)
sō-
: the quality or state of being sober

Examples of sobriety in a Sentence

They did a sobriety test on him. the sobriety of the situation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The officer conducted a field sobriety test and reported that Knott failed. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 According to an arrest citation, Smith failed the officer's sobriety test and a blood alcohol content sample read at 0.73. Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Her new collection of personal essays takes on bad behavior by looking inward, with examinations of sobriety, waiting tables, Neopets forums, and shoplifting from Brandy Melville. Literary Hub july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 2025 In a video posted to TikTok and Instagram, Darra Sargent shared a clip reflecting on her decade of sobriety. Sara Belcher, People.com, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sobriety

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sobrete, from Anglo-French sobreté, from Latin sobrietat-, sobrietas, from sobrius

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sobriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sobriety. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sobriety

noun
so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ət-ē How to pronounce sobriety (audio)
: the quality or state of being sober

More from Merriam-Webster on sobriety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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