1
as in straight
not having one's mind affected by alcohol
it's important to stay sober if you're going to be driving a car
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in logical
based on sound reasoning or information
a sober assessment of the situation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in solemn
not joking or playful in mood or manner
a sober reply to what was only a teasing comment
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4
as in quiet
not excessively showy
if you don't have anything in black, at least wear a sober outfit to the funeral
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5
as in ascetic
given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
cruise passengers of sober dispositions will be put off by the focus on nonstop dining
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sober
Impartial, fact-finding and without pretension, Burns turns his camera to our history in a sober-but-not-boring manner.
—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
The 62-year-old musician and DJ, whose real name is Norman Cook, got vulnerable in a new interview on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs series about feeling afraid to perform after getting sober.
—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Instead, Reynolds observes that these sober men bore little resemblance to the roistering patriarchs of the remote plantations.
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James Traub,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
In that grandest of country music traditions, the Disarmers’ songs were honest reflections of the blackout-chasing lives the members were living, but that changed when Shook got sober in 2019.
—
Brad Sanders,
Pitchfork,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sober
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
29 June 2026
The 62-year-old musician and DJ, whose real name is Norman Cook, got vulnerable in a new interview on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs series about feeling afraid to perform after getting sober.
—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Instead, Reynolds observes that these sober men bore little resemblance to the roistering patriarchs of the remote plantations.
—
James Traub,
The Atlantic,
28 June 2026
In that grandest of country music traditions, the Disarmers’ songs were honest reflections of the blackout-chasing lives the members were living, but that changed when Shook got sober in 2019.
—
Brad Sanders,
Pitchfork,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sober
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sober
Adjective
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Shares slumped 16% for a third straight session of losses, wiping out $400 billion in market cap on Monday alone.
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His 2022 autobiographical family drama, The Fabelmans, proved a critical hit but a financial dud, and his adaptation of West Side Story was a straight-up flop (with losses reportedly running to $100 million).
Adjective
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The business solution provider, on the other hand, acts as the logical custodian of critical processes.
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Those are legitimate concerns, and yet the rebuttals are just as logical.
Adjective
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Ureña, a 22-year-old right-hander who has emerged as another potential ace, speaks of Soriano with a giddy amusement mixed with a solemn respect for how the starter has survived in the big leagues.
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Dozens of firefighters lined the street in a solemn salute to their fallen colleagues.
Adjective
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What was once a quiet corner of the terminal – your reward for loyalty or a hefty annual fee – has turned into a cafeteria for the masses.
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Rather than succumb to the misery of its subject matter, Union County is about the quiet, tedious, and remarkable work that is getting and staying sober — the final product a testament to all that can be achieved.
Adjective
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Once inside, warm, tropical breezes flow into the hotel’s ascetic, nevertheless grand lobby, wafting you towards a magical cloister filled with plants and robust Botero sculptures.
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Grothendieck was intense and ascetic from his early days.
Adjective
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In a bowl, combine all dry rub ingredients and season the ribs generously on all sides.
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Flip your cloth to a dry side and buff for that perfect, streak-free shine.
Adjective
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To prove religious discrimination in the workplace, a party needs to prove disparate treatment or that the employer failed to make reasonable accommodations for someone trying to practice their religious beliefs.
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Use earphones for music and movies and keep conversations at a reasonable volume.
Adjective
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Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
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Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.
Cite this Entry
“Sober.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sober. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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