sanity

noun

san·​i·​ty ˈsa-nə-tē 

: the quality or state of being sane

especially : soundness or health of mind

Synonyms

• daylights
• head
• marbles
• mind
• reason
• saneness
• wit(s)

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

Thomas pleads for his sanity in his paranoid whispers, his voice twisting and flopping like a fish on a line. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025

Your business will reach new levels of excellence while protecting your team and your sanity. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

This is all new territory for Williams, 26, and he has been forced to lean on a number of people — family, close friends, players on rival teams in the Southeast Division — those close to him to keep his sanity at times and have as much tunnel vision as possible. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2025

The rules change; sanity, like gender, is a moving target. —Audrey Wollen, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

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