sobering

1 of 2

adjective

so·​ber·​ing ˈsō-b(ə-)riŋ 

: tending to make one thoughtful or sober

sobering

2 of 2

present participle of sober entry 2

Examples of sobering in a Sentence

Adjective

His death is a sobering reminder of the dangers of mountaineering.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The alleged conduct of a senior solider, entrusted with sensitive information, is a sobering reminder that insider threats are real and persistent. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026

Late last month, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a sobering assessment warning that nearly all (96 percent) of the Earth’s coral reef ecosystem face an extremely high risk of collapse within the next 50 years. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 6 Nov. 2026

How to lower your wildfire risk These projections are sobering, but actual losses will depend partly on the choices people make now. — Virginia Iglesias, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026

The most sobering reality check on Beirut City Pop brings the conflict into stark relief. — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1816, in the meaning defined above