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
The All’s Fair actress has been vocal about her sobriety, and celebrated the life-changing decision in a November 2025 Instagram post.
—
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Back in November, Simpson, a mother of three, celebrated eight years of sobriety.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2026
In a cover story for People, Karamo Brown said that the pressures of the show, tensions with his castmates, and producer mismanagement contributed to his relapse on drugs and alcohol while filming season three in 2018, after over a decade of sobriety.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The driver was given a field sobriety test at the scene.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sobriety
Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Back in November, Simpson, a mother of three, celebrated eight years of sobriety.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2026
In a cover story for People, Karamo Brown said that the pressures of the show, tensions with his castmates, and producer mismanagement contributed to his relapse on drugs and alcohol while filming season three in 2018, after over a decade of sobriety.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The driver was given a field sobriety test at the scene.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sobriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sobriety
Noun
-
The company that’s accustomed to defying gravity is now defying market physics.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
-
The fact that much of the region excluded by the team hasn't been explored experimentally lays the groundwork for making precise measurements of gravity to test quantum gravity.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Moral judgments like these became part of the school curriculum in the late 19th century, as the temperance movement gained momentum toward its goal of total abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
-
The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Western, for his part, had by this time recovered something of his usual bluster, and began again upon the subject of Blifil, commending his estate and his family with great earnestness, as though these considerations alone ought to have settled the matter long since.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
-
Even if the earnestness is genuine, Véliz worries that the use of religious terminology and imagery around AI—deliberately or not—can make honest conversation harder to have.—
Chris Stokel-Walker,
Scientific American,
26 May 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
-
Semiconductor stocks — Chip manufacturers slid as the tech sell-off resumed in earnest on Tuesday.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
9 June 2026
-
Behind her back, her bosses began negotiating a secret plea deal in earnest with Epstein’s lawyers in July 2007.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sobriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sobriety. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
