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Definitions

sober

[soh-ber] / ˈsoʊ bər /
ADJECTIVE
not partaking of alcohol
Synonyms
STRONGEST
calm restrained sedate serious
STRONG
abstaining controlled dry moderate steady
WEAK
abstemious abstinent ascetic clear-headed cold sober continent nonindulgent not drunk on the wagon self-possessed temperate took the pledge
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitated excitable excited
WEAK
drunk immoderate inebriated irrational
ADJECTIVE
calm, peaceful; dull
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dark disciplined dispassionate down-to-earth earnest levelheaded low-key lucid no-nonsense practical quiet rational realistic reasonable restrained sedate serene serious solemn somber staid subdued
STRONG
abnegating abstaining collected composed constrained cool eschewing forgoing grave inhibited plain reserved sound steady
WEAK
clear-headed cold drab hard-boiled imperturbable pacific severe soft toned-down unexcited unimpassioned unruffled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
agitated boisterous cheerful excitable excited flippant frivolous funny happy impractical insincere irrational light nervous trivial troubled unimportant unrealistic unreasonable unserious upset
STRONG
annoyed friendly worried
WEAK
drunk immoderate inebriated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Across the world, policymakers living the real-world impact of a war on their doorsteps took a much more sober view of developments.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

It flew in the face of the mantra of the “quiet professional” that suffused military culture, a kind of sober maturity that was critical to judicious use of deadly force.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

Ms. Sneff doesn’t say how history might have changed, probably because she is a careful academic who prefers sober analysis to intriguing speculation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

He had been healthy, was nine years sober, and the family hadn’t been able to afford health insurance.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Bod was a quiet child with sober grey eyes and a mop of tousled, mouse-colored hair.

From "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman

Vocabulary lists containing sober

A Raisin in the Sun

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The Things They Carried

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The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!