sobriety

noun

so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ə-tē How to pronounce sobriety (audio)
sō-
: the quality or state of being sober

Examples of sobriety in a Sentence

They did a sobriety test on him. the sobriety of the situation
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Elton John has celebrated a major personal milestone, marking 35 years of sobriety with a heartfelt message to fans and family on July 29. Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 July 2025 In April, the 31-year-old revealed his plans to remove all of his tattoos in a interview with Variety, after focusing on his sobriety and mental health. Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 30 July 2025 Florio didn’t say the results of the sobriety test or what the barge captain mentioned in his statement. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025 For court fashioned custody and visitation orders, the length of time a parent is sober is a good predictor of future sobriety. Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sobriety

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of sobriety was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sobriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sobriety. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

sobriety

noun
so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ət-ē How to pronounce sobriety (audio)
: the quality or state of being sober

More from Merriam-Webster on sobriety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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