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
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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
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Recent Examples of sobriety
Brown also noted his experiences behind the scenes as a factor in him breaking his sobriety.
—
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
Quintero refused sobriety testing at the scene.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
The California Highway Patrol will conduct a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint Friday night in Sacramento County, officers said.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
The category’s success increasingly depends on more than sobriety messaging alone and instead on whether brands can create authentic experiences around moderation, inclusion, and social connection.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sobriety
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
Quintero refused sobriety testing at the scene.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
The California Highway Patrol will conduct a sobriety and driver’s license checkpoint Friday night in Sacramento County, officers said.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 27 May 2026
The category’s success increasingly depends on more than sobriety messaging alone and instead on whether brands can create authentic experiences around moderation, inclusion, and social connection.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sobriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sobriety
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
-
Gravitational waves were first proposed in 1915 as part of Albert Einstein's theory of gravity, known as general relativity.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
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But neither have the gravitas or gravity of Garrett, one of the few in the NFL who compare to former Ram Aaron Donald in terms of how much his presence will suck up the time of opposing offensive coordinators as they game plan.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
1 June 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
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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
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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
-
The Japanese investor, who was used to fielding similar inquiries from company leaders, was intrigued by an approach made directly by a head of state and started reviewing the matter in earnest.—
Benoit Berthelot,
Fortune,
30 May 2026
-
Curtis began acting in earnest in the 1980s.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sobriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sobriety. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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