sanity

noun

san·​i·​ty ˈsa-nə-tē 

: the quality or state of being sane

especially : soundness or health of mind

Synonyms of sanity

• mind

Examples of sanity in a Sentence

People have begun to doubt his sanity.

She is the mother of six children but somehow keeps her sanity.

The sanity of the decision was never in question.

Recent Examples on the Web

Surprised, the team performed a sanity check—the researchers calculated heritability in the traditional way for twins born between 1900 and 1935, an era when rapid medical advances steadily curtailed premature death. —Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026

Indeed, accepting its finitude is a crucial step toward sanity, freedom, and happiness. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2026

Friends question her sanity and stability, and Helen loses herself further inside her mounting grief. —Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026

As with so much about college football, where self-interest reigns and sanity is scarce, the outcome isn’t ideal but could have been much, much worse. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sanite, from Anglo-French sanité, from Latin sanitat-, sanitas health, sanity, from sanus healthy, sane

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sanity

• lose one's mind/sanity

Rhymes for sanity

• vanity
• christianity
• inhumanity
• humanity
• inanity
• insanity
• profanity
• urbanity

Kids Definition

sanity

noun

san·​i·​ty ˈsan-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being sane

Medical Definition

sanity

noun

san·​i·​ty ˈsan-ət-ē 

plural sanities

: the quality or state of being sane

especially : soundness or health of mind

Legal Definition

sanity

noun

san·​i·​ty

: the quality or state of being sane compare insanity