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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sober different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sober are earnest, grave, sedate, serious, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When might earnest be a better fit than sober?

The synonyms earnest and sober are sometimes interchangeable, but earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

When can grave be used instead of sober?

The meanings of grave and sober largely overlap; however, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When could sedate be used to replace sober?

The words sedate and sober can be used in similar contexts, but sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

When would serious be a good substitute for sober?

In some situations, the words serious and sober are roughly equivalent. However, serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

Where would solemn be a reasonable alternative to sober?

While the synonyms solemn and sober are close in meaning, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

In what contexts can staid take the place of sober?

Although the words staid and sober have much in common, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sober Scorsese wants to direct a sober revisitation of the 1978 People's Temple mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana. Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 The play is an alcoholism drama that explores the relationship between a newly sober 12-step programme attendee, Luka, played by Jack Lowden, with his sponsor and veteran of the program, James, played by Freeman. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025 No longer sober, he's begun to exude a recklessness — and the teaser includes a shot of him knifing a pillow. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025 The process of getting sober, as is often the case, has been a long one. Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sober
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sober
Adjective
  • Given the way the entire month of April has gone for this team, the following seems entirely possible: The Stars have now lost eight straight games.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Commitment to Defense McDonagh was a pillar on the blue line and in the clubhouse during a four-season stretch with the Lightning that included a pair of Cups and three straight trips to the Cup final.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The logical conclusion is for the US to convert its gold holdings into bitcoin.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • That makes for a logical disconnect, and palpable hypocrisy.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • President Trump Makes His Entrance At Pope Francis' Funeral By Emma Marsden Freelance News Reporter Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member news article 7 Pope Francis' funeral took place in a solemn ceremony at the Vatican on Saturday, drawing hundreds of thousands of mourners from around the world.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The solemn ceremony will draw world leaders from around the globe.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As season three continues, the quiet part is said out loud.
    Cyndy Etler, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025
  • In the rich and frequently chaotic history of Marseille, there can have been fewer more apt demonstrations of the club’s inherent tendency towards turbulence than the decision to head to Rome for some peace and quiet in the same week as the death of the Pope.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is especially clear in the contrast between Marcus Luria and his father, the ascetic sage Zalia Ziskind.
    Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • While Mathu is an ascetic loner, Malby was a hedonistic womanizer.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • To keep this as a true one-bowl cake, whisk the dry ingredients together, then make a well in the center, crack in the eggs, and whisk them in that empty spot in the bowl.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Since this kit is intended for use with regular polish, consider this Sally Hansen Insta-Dry quick dry polish set.
    Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But looking at the right benchmarks shows that post-neoliberal economic policy—evident to a large degree in the actions of the Biden administration—righted the ship and kept the country afloat and sailing at a reasonable clip.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Multi: Multi-ground (MG) cleats are designed to achieve reasonable levels of traction, grip and control on as many types of ground as possible.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But legal experts said a criminal contempt finding would be a serious step to be avoided.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Emergency personnel transported the injured person to a nearby trauma center with serious injuries, officials said.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sober.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sober. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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