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

Alcoholics Anonymous, which Pitt attended for 18 months after Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, sees sobriety as all-or-nothing with no exceptions, Schrank pointed out. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

Downey credits both sobriety and The Singing Detective for helping to save his career. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026

Its scripture-heavy programs stress sobriety and transition to self-sufficiency. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests before getting arrested, booked and released. — Cbs Texas Staff, CBS News, 11 Aug. 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