1
as in intentness
a mental state free of jesting or trifling
an abrupt sobriety fell over the group when they heard the news
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in temperance
voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites
although she can afford to wear anything, she practices a sartorial sobriety that bespeaks class and taste
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sobriety
He was taken into custody at the scene, after stumbling through several sobriety tests, police said.
—
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Brynn, who had struggled with alcohol and cocaine abuse in the past, had recently begun drinking again after nearly a decade of sobriety.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
The judge said that Delisle could live a better life with sobriety.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2026
Officers reported that Spears appeared impaired and was put through a variety of field sobriety tests.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sobriety
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Brynn, who had struggled with alcohol and cocaine abuse in the past, had recently begun drinking again after nearly a decade of sobriety.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
The judge said that Delisle could live a better life with sobriety.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 15 Apr. 2026
Officers reported that Spears appeared impaired and was put through a variety of field sobriety tests.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sobriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sobriety
Noun
-
The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Then, strong reform and radical movements to abolish slavery and to advocate for world peace, temperance, and women’s suffrage flourished.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ruben comes with his own gravity, whereas Niall naturally recedes into the wallpaper.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
On the other hand, modifying gravity — according to the MOND prescription — introduces a new fundamental acceleration scale that shows up importantly at small cosmic accelerations.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Not too serious or sappy, but with room for both earnestness and whimsy.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The earnestness of these calls to join is refreshing compared to the distance currently felt in many places, where the disconnection can make neighbors feel like strangers.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Despite the bitter path to this threshold—the debate started in earnest in 1915—almost no one cheered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The trial, which is expected to last two weeks, started in earnest on March 10 with opening statements, and three other accusers are poised to testify, the New York Times reported.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sobriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sobriety. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
