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.
On May 25, Allen celebrated one year of sobriety, and announced he'd also been baptized. Marina Watts, People.com, 30 May 2025 According to a criminal complaint, Retton smelled of alcohol and was slurring her words and failed a field sobriety test, The Associated Press reports. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 27 May 2025 Last year, the Detroit musician celebrated 16 years of sobriety since overcoming an addiction to alcohol and drugs earlier in his career. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 23 May 2025 This is Devon, a woman struggling to keep herself, her sobriety, and her fractured family together. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 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 5 Jun. 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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