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

According to the police report, first obtained by FOX6, Romo performed poorly on the field sobriety test, which led to his arrest. — Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026

Lee continued to struggle with his sobriety, entering rehab multiple times, including in 2019. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Drayton has openly shared his story of addiction and road to sobriety. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 July 2026

Bodycam video from the Yarmouth Police Department shows Nantucket, Massachusetts, town Planning Director Leslie Snell appearing to struggle when asked to perform sobriety tests. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 16 July 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