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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
  • Commitment to Defense McDonagh was a pillar on the blue line and in the clubhouse during a four-season stretch with the Lightning that included a pair of Cups and three straight trips to the Cup final.
    Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Given the way the entire month of April has gone for this team, the following seems entirely possible: The Stars have now lost eight straight games.
    Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That makes for a logical disconnect, and palpable hypocrisy.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The logical conclusion is for the US to convert its gold holdings into bitcoin.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • To keep this as a true one-bowl cake, whisk the dry ingredients together, then make a well in the center, crack in the eggs, and whisk them in that empty spot in the bowl.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
  • According to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, the fire is expected to grow as dry conditions, winds and low humidity aid its activity.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But looking at the right benchmarks shows that post-neoliberal economic policy—evident to a large degree in the actions of the Biden administration—righted the ship and kept the country afloat and sailing at a reasonable clip.
    Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Read has pleaded not guilty, denied killing O'Keefe and alleged she is being framed, attempting to sow reasonable doubt in prosecutors' claims and asserting that someone else killed O'Keefe and had ties to and influence over the investigation.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Could this cause some serious anxiety, or even an existential crisis?
    Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Mets’ prospects with experience in center field need more time in the minors before they can be considered serious options.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 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 30 Apr. 2025.

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