sobering

1 of 2

adjective

so·​ber·​ing ˈsō-b(ə-)riŋ 

: tending to make one thoughtful or sober

sobering

2 of 2

present participle of sober entry 2

Examples of sobering in a Sentence

Adjective

His death is a sobering reminder of the dangers of mountaineering.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Shapiro’s session offered sobering stats about the changing nature of viewing audiences. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Late eating may even be linked to a higher risk of death, according to a sobering 2024 study. — Jamie Ducharme, HEALTH, 7 Oct. 2026

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh shared several sobering injury updates Monday in the wake of Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

The costs of starting over Even with roots to work from, however, the arithmetic of recovery is sobering. — Ghada Abdulfattah, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1816, in the meaning defined above