sober

adjective

so·ber | \ ˈsō-bər

soberer\ ˈsō-bər-ər

\; soberest\ ˈsō-b(ə-)rəst

Definition of sober

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : sparing in the use of food and drink : abstemious

b : not addicted to intoxicating drink

c : not drunk

2 : marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor

3 : unhurried, calm

4 : marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness a sober candlelight vigil

5 : subdued in tone or color

6 : showing no excessive or extreme qualities of fancy, emotion, or prejudice

sober

verb

sobered; sobering\ ˈsō-b(ə-)riŋ

Definition of sober (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to make sober

intransitive verb

: to become sober —usually used with up

Other Words from sober Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sober

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Synonyms & Antonyms for sober

Synonyms: Adjective

clearheaded, straight

Antonyms: Adjective

blasted [slang], blind, blitzed [slang], blotto [slang], bombed, boozy, canned [slang], cockeyed, crocked, drunk, drunken, fried, gassed, hammered [slang], high, inebriate, inebriated, intoxicated, juiced [slang], lit, lit up, loaded [slang], looped, oiled [slang], pickled, pie-eyed, plastered, potted [slang], ripped [slang], sloshed [slang], smashed [slang], sottish, soused, sozzled, squiffed (or squiffy), stewed, stiff, stinking [slang], stoned, tanked [slang], tight, tipsy, wasted [slang], wiped out [slang]

Choose the Right Synonym for sober

Adjective

serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous. serious implies a concern for what really matters. a serious play about social injustice grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude. read the proclamation in a grave voice solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity. a sad and solemn occasion sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness. remained sedate amid the commotion staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint. a quiet and staid community sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity. a sober look at the state of our schools earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose. an earnest reformer

Examples of sober in a Sentence

Adjective

I'm driving, so I have to stay sober tonight. He is a sober, hardworking farmer. The story is a sober look at drug abuse. Illness is a sober reminder of our mortality. The article is a sober reflection on the state of our nation.

Verb

He returned home from the war, saddened and sobered by his experiences.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

He is also said to be working with a sober coach, and attending therapy. — Megan Stein And Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "'Alaskan Bush People' Star Matt Brown Has Left Rehab," 10 Nov. 2018 As of today, the 37-year-old actress is 10 years sober (and counting). — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "'Fuller House' Star Jodie Sweetin Shuts Down Instagram Follower Who Mocked Her Sobriety," 4 Mar. 2019 These actors carry the water in the main story line, where Kendall (Mr. Strong), the older brother, tries to bring the company into the digital age (and stay sober) despite his father’s conservatism. — Mike Hale, New York Times, "Review: In HBO’s ‘Succession,’ the Family That Preys Together," 1 June 2018 Sam has been clean and sober since last summer when he was arrested for driving under the influence. — Rebecca Kesten, Fox News, "Battling the despair of opioid addiction in an unexpected place," 1 July 2018 Stay clean and sober Avoid drug and alcohol use while out on the river. — Kellie Hwang, azcentral, "Going tubing this weekend? Essential safety tips to prevent drowning accidents," 8 June 2018 Unfortunately for Andrew, playing hard lead to a struggle to stay sober. — courant.com, "Andrew Riley Carbone," 13 Apr. 2018 Kennedy said drivers should slow down, obey signals, pay attention and stay sober. — Andrew Dyer, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Chula Vista launches campaign to prevent pedestrian deaths," 29 Mar. 2018 She's had a long, difficult history with addiction but had been sober for six years until this latest relapse. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Demi Lovato Shows Fans How She's Fighting for Recovery With a Jiu-Jistsu Selfie," 5 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

This new moon, harmonizing with sobering Saturn, is about taking responsibility for material security. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What Your Sign’s May Horoscope Predictions Mean for You," 30 Apr. 2019 The numbers were still sobering for Democrats, however. — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Scott Walker amasses $4 million campaign war chest, dwarfing Dem rivals in Wisconsin governor's race," 15 Jan. 2018 His treatment—and his wife’s efforts to draw attention to his situation by shaving her head and staging a walk from Beijing to Tianjin—have sobered other Chinese rights activists. — Eva Dou, WSJ, "China Puts Rights Lawyer on Trial for Subversion," 26 Dec. 2018 The normally sober David Axelrod of CNN likened Trump to Neville Chamberlain after his infamous meeting with Hitler. — Howard Kurtz, Fox News, "A media firestorm as Trump seems to side with Putin over US intelligence," 17 July 2018 But when a person is unruly or combative, they are taken to the detention center to sober up there instead. — Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, "Family seeks answers after woman hanged self in police custody," 21 June 2018 Still, the numbers for a player who is already on the short list of the best receivers in team history are sobering. — Bob Condotta, The Seattle Times, "Doug Baldwin says he’s healthy, ball just didn’t go his way Sunday," 9 Oct. 2018 The experience of stateless Palestinians is sobering. — The Economist, "Syrian refugees could turn into the new Palestinians," 30 June 2018 To think that David Mamet has been on Broadway 10 times during this period is sobering. — Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, "Tony Kushner, thinking citizen: The playwright on 'Angels in America,' 'West Side Story' and surviving Trump," 30 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sober.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.