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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

Examples 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 Eight months into recovery, Knight answered the door of his sober living apartment to find a friend in tears. CNN, 30 Oct. 2024 Here's the deadline to mail it back Mystery man connected to 20 allegations of fraud in Arizona sober living rehab scandal. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024 But in the Monday interview with Today, Keith mused about whether Perry was still sober or had, as prosecutors allege, become addicted to ketamine. Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Oct. 2024 Low-barrier shelters offer guests voluntary social services and medical attention but don't require them to partake or to stay sober in order to keep their bed. Jordan Smith, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sober 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sober
Adjective
  • Unlike straight watchmaking, which imposes technical restrictions, anything goes with metiers d’art.
    Carol Besler, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2024
  • The Vikings offense slowed to a crawl the following week against the Jets in London, but the team managed a fifth straight victory despite an ordinary performance by Darnold.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • In so many ways, Erivo seems built to take on a song like this, not just in terms of hitting the notes but showing the way the song takes the character’s arc to the next logical step.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
  • These agents, unlike chatbots or copilots, can use logical reasoning and higher-level decision-making to carry out tasks, and are considered the next step in AI development.
    Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The announcement was made earlier this month at a solemn ceremony at Department headquarters in Brooklyn to honor the lives lost.
    Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 11 Sep. 2024
  • Their presence is solemn and, at the same time, festive, an echo of past times that rings with each step.
    Arath Zumaya Muñoz, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Mikko Rantanen spoke bluntly about Nichushkin, saying the quiet part out loud.
    Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Find a quiet spot away from city lights, lay back, and enjoy the cosmos while sharing stories with friends.
    Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The level at the very top makes former communist leaders appear positively ascetic.
    Gregory Feifer, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2016
  • Adams, running for office, made gestures at his own ascetic habits, passing himself off as a vegan.
    Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • The three-layer design offers extra protection against spillage, ensuring that all the contents of your toiletry bag stay dry.
    Catherine Garcia, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024
  • An officer investigating the crash noted that the weather was cloudy and the road was dry at the time.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • So, the authors should consider plug-in hybrids as a reasonable interim step, while chargers move consumers to adapt to all-electric vehicles when more charging alternatives are available.
    Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Its edges are quickly becoming dense suburban communities filled with residents seeking affordable housing and a reasonable commute to work in the state's largest cities.
    Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The Trump administration now needs to get serious about shaping regional and global conventions around digital trade, anticorruption, and intellectual property rights to counter Beijing’s efforts to bend weaker states to its will and obstruct U.S. economic access.
    Michael Green, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
  • What this translates to is a fast and efficient desktop that's more than capable of serious office work and gaming alike.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 16 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near sober

Cite this Entry

“Sober.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sober. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on sober

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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