sobriety

noun

so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ə-tē How to pronounce sobriety (audio)
sō-
: the quality or state of being sober

Examples of sobriety in a Sentence

They did a sobriety test on him. the sobriety of the situation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Arnold struggled with alcohol addiction but credited his Christian faith with supporting his sobriety since 2016. Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025 The Accountant 2 star told PEOPLE in 2020 that his father, a former janitor, had marked 30 years of sobriety at the time. Jack Smart, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025 In 2018, Biggs took to Instagram to share his sobriety journey. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Season 2 will also continue to follow Taylor’s life and her tumultuous relationship with Dakota Mortensen, with questions about his sobriety coming up. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sobriety

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sobrete, from Anglo-French sobreté, from Latin sobrietat-, sobrietas, from sobrius

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sobriety was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sobriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sobriety. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

sobriety

noun
so·​bri·​ety sə-ˈbrī-ət-ē How to pronounce sobriety (audio)
: the quality or state of being sober

More from Merriam-Webster on sobriety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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