1
as in straight
not having one's mind affected by alcohol
it's important to stay sober if you're going to be driving a car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in logical
based on sound reasoning or information
a sober assessment of the situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
a sober reply to what was only a teasing comment
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in quiet
not excessively showy
if you don't have anything in black, at least wear a sober outfit to the funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
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5
as in ascetic
given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
cruise passengers of sober dispositions will be put off by the focus on nonstop dining
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sober
That total recently got a boost from Father Joe’s Villages, which converted one of its downtown shelters into a detox and sober-living program.
—
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
After he was arrested for drunk driving in 2005 and 2006, Tracy was motivated to get sober for his three sons.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
In other ways, Isaacs was a sober observer, describing Zulu politics, military tactics, family dynamics and rituals.
—Adam L. Rovner, The Conversation, 31 Oct. 2025
Brehen getting sober, mentoring the Rats, and eventually becoming initiated into the gang himself.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sober
Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
After he was arrested for drunk driving in 2005 and 2006, Tracy was motivated to get sober for his three sons.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
In other ways, Isaacs was a sober observer, describing Zulu politics, military tactics, family dynamics and rituals.
—Adam L. Rovner, The Conversation, 31 Oct. 2025
Brehen getting sober, mentoring the Rats, and eventually becoming initiated into the gang himself.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sober
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sober
Adjective
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Dallas has dropped two straight games, most recently losing 110-102 to the Houston Rockets on the road.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Pilots’ comeback While The Pitt had a straight-to-series order, American Blue and How To Survive Without Me are pilots, part of a resurgence of the broadcast development staple.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Not even a meta ending that pushes that idea to its logical breaking point can sour you on it.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
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To be fair, public entities have been stretching public records trade secret exceptions to logical extremes long before college athletes started getting paid—and these carve-outs are often intended to be permissive.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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While solemn Veterans Day remembrance ceremonies were taking place at the National WWI Museum and Memorial on Tuesday, people were also there observing the holiday by making replicas of poppies.—
Emily Curiel,
Kansas City Star,
12 Nov. 2025
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The solemn occasion is a time to reflect on these American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Chicago Bears were relatively quiet ahead of the NFL trade deadline.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Hotel Fasano São Paulo Itaim Consistently top-notch, from the beds to the dining, Hotel Fasano exudes quiet luxury.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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How can a kindly, God-fearing, and ascetic novice monk compete against that?—
Karl Ove Knausgaard,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
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In fact, the ascetic value of fasting from meat required that the person otherwise enjoy it.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Order the deluxe martini with gin or vodka, extra-dry vermouth, and olives or a twist; pair with truffle fries and the hearts of romaine Caesar, available on special request from the restaurant, all as classic as the setting itself.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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Up to 16 inches of rainfall drenched the Hill Country area from July 3 to July 5, a landscape known for rapid, raging flooding in extreme rain boosted by moist gulf air moving over the dry, dusty hills.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Relative to the starting pitcher market, his contract -- he is owed $28 million combined over the next two seasons with a club option for 2028 -- is reasonable.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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The pop punk icon confirmed a slate of upcoming shows for next year on Monday, along with efforts to ensure tickets get in actual fans’ hands for a reasonable price, rather than to resellers who will hawk them at major markups to those who missed out during the initial on-sale.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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If Haaland isn’t my choice here, there should be serious consideration at The Athletic about sacking me.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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As for the safety of the drug, about 10% of the adults taking enlicitide experienced serious adverse events during the study and a similar share, about 12%, of those taking a placebo experienced adverse events in the study.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sober.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sober. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.
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