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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

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 Scorsese wants to direct a sober revisitation of the 1978 People's Temple mass suicide in Jonestown, Guyana. Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 The play is an alcoholism drama that explores the relationship between a newly sober 12-step programme attendee, Luka, played by Jack Lowden, with his sponsor and veteran of the program, James, played by Freeman. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025 No longer sober, he's begun to exude a recklessness — and the teaser includes a shot of him knifing a pillow. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025 The process of getting sober, as is often the case, has been a long one. Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sober
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sober
Adjective
  • Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche was the eighth straight opener that Dallas dropped.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • But a heads-up play from Bryce Harper at first caught Pauley in a rundown, and Walker followed it up with two straight groundouts to escape the inning.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The logical conclusion is for the US to convert its gold holdings into bitcoin.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • That makes for a logical disconnect, and palpable hypocrisy.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In a solemn message, Dominican President Luis Abinader addressed the nation’s grief.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In Ireland, however, St. Patrick’s Day remained a solemn day of observance with little revelry.
    Bryan McGovern, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And in a culture that often asks women to go faster, do more, and present themselves perfectly, the act of cooking something small and lovely—just because—is its own quiet form of resistance.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Today By Paulina Berges Nestled within Okazaki on a quiet residential road, Shinsho-an feels more like a private home than a hotel.
    Christina Liao, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is especially clear in the contrast between Marcus Luria and his father, the ascetic sage Zalia Ziskind.
    Adam Kirsch, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • While Mathu is an ascetic loner, Malby was a hedonistic womanizer.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Gentle moisturizers: Your skin might feel dry, tight, and flaky, especially when the rash starts to scab.
    Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Warmer temperatures in Kansas City’s forecast After the rain, the Kansas City area will enter a quiet, dry period as temperatures warm into the weekend.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ovechkin’s 52 in a high-scoring 2005-06 season feels like a reasonable benchmark for modern snipers, and even that’s tough.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Ars wrote more about why this is a reasonable path forward last September.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Could this cause some serious anxiety, or even an existential crisis?
    Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • In total, 36 people were hospitalized, and 7 people developed Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney disorder.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sober.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sober. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sober

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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