sobriety

noun

so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ə-tē 

sō-

: the quality or state of being sober

Synonyms of sobriety

• intentness
• gravity
• earnestness
• soberness
• earnest

Examples of sobriety in a Sentence

They did a sobriety test on him.

the sobriety of the situation

Recent Examples on the Web

In mid-August, Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials shared the location and date of a sobriety checkpoint ahead of time on social media. — Lily Knoepp, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

Tommy White Rated PG-13, 1 hour 37 minutes Hank, an American living in Australia, is now trying to be a gentle giant, one who’s celebrating his one-year anniversary of sobriety and who clearly suffers from lingering emotional trauma. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

The Folsom Police Department will hold a sobriety checkpoint Friday night to identify drivers suspected of being impaired by alcohol or drugs. — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Several other country stars shared messages of support for Kelley’s sobriety in the comments. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for sobriety

• gaiety
• piety
• antianxiety
• intersociety
• anxiety
• impiety
• propriety
• satiety
• society
• variety
• contrariety
• impropriety

Kids Definition

sobriety

noun

so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being sober