as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling
the unexpected soberness of the class clown at the memorial service was startling
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Recent Examples of soberness
Because of the way the director works, emotions tend to be more discussed than felt, although there’s something about Carla’s desperation that pierces through all the soberness.
—
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soberness
Noun
-
The probe was delayed from 2022, and headed for the asteroid Psyche, using a Mars-gravity assist and not arriving until August 2029.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The kit includes a 3-liter bag that hangs upside down and uses gravity to filter water through a hose.—
Amelia Arvesen,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The violent earnestness is like a speaker-phone therapy session on a crowded subway.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
17 Mar. 2026
-
That thread of earnestness in the plot and character development definitely makes its way into the finale.—
Abbey White,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The solemnity awaiting celebration is truly beautiful.—
James T. Farmer,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The time and attention to detail afforded it by Lord and Miller suggest that the directors are as susceptible as any of us to that amazement, elevated by the moving solemnity and celestial dimensions of Daniel Pemberton’s beautiful score.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
March is traditionally the start of planning the spring planting season in the US, which starts in earnest in April.—
Molly Taft,
Wired News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The episode starts in earnest when Myki learns about how the other queens voted.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her legacy indeed lives on in Definitely Thriving, a book which dares to treat the small canvas of an ordinary woman’s experience with seriousness and respect, all the while maintaining that necessary sense of humor which makes the whole thing—life itself—mostly bearable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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From the beginning, Madeleine approached her training with seriousness and respect for the craft.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soberness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soberness. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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