SOBER Synonyms: 310 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'sober' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sober are earnest , grave , sedate , serious , solemn , and staid . While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity. // a sober look at the state of our schools

Q: When might 'earnest' be a better fit than 'sober'?

The synonyms earnest and sober are sometimes interchangeable, but earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose. // an earnest reformer

Q: When can 'grave' be used instead of 'sober'?

The meanings of grave and sober largely overlap; however, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude. // read the proclamation in a grave voice

Q: When could 'sedate' be used to replace 'sober'?

The words sedate and sober can be used in similar contexts, but sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness. // remained sedate amid the commotion

Q: When would 'serious' be a good substitute for 'sober'?

In some situations, the words serious and sober are roughly equivalent. However, serious implies a concern for what really matters. // a serious play about social injustice

Q: Where would 'solemn' be a reasonable alternative to 'sober'?

While the synonyms solemn and sober are close in meaning, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity. // a sad and solemn occasion

Q: In what contexts can 'staid' take the place of 'sober'?

Although the words staid and sober have much in common, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint. // a quiet and staid community

sober

adjective

ˈsō-bər

Definition of sober next

as in straight

not having one's mind affected by alcohol it's important to stay sober if you're going to be driving a car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in logical

based on sound reasoning or information a sober assessment of the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in solemn

not joking or playful in mood or manner a sober reply to what was only a teasing comment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quiet

not excessively showy if you don't have anything in black, at least wear a sober outfit to the funeral

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in ascetic

given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites cruise passengers of sober dispositions will be put off by the focus on nonstop dining

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sober different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sober are earnest, grave, sedate, serious, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When might earnest be a better fit than sober?

The synonyms earnest and sober are sometimes interchangeable, but earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

When can grave be used instead of sober?

The meanings of grave and sober largely overlap; however, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

When could sedate be used to replace sober?

The words sedate and sober can be used in similar contexts, but sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

When would serious be a good substitute for sober?

In some situations, the words serious and sober are roughly equivalent. However, serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

Where would solemn be a reasonable alternative to sober?

While the synonyms solemn and sober are close in meaning, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

In what contexts can staid take the place of sober?

Although the words staid and sober have much in common, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

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 sober In a Reddit post, the woman, a 27-year-old who had worked hard to stay sober after a challenging past, shared her experience gathering her family to celebrate the achievement—only to have her moment overshadowed. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 For seven seasons, Dr. Joan Watson played an active role in the socialization of the recently sober Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller), quickly shirking the job assigned to her by his father and becoming a full-fledged consulting detective. —

Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025 Imagine someone with alcohol use disorder who has been sober for two weeks, Torrance says. —

Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025 But across town in Altadena, some residents watching those sober scenes hoped the staggering losses in their own community would not be forgotten. —

Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sober

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sober

Adjective

The Sabers have lost four straight games, including six of their last seven all by double digits.

— Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
And, with so much riding on turnovers, it should be noted that Philly has gone five straight games without a turnover and has a turnover margin of 20-2 in its last six games.

— Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025