sobering

[soh-ber-ing] / ˈsoʊ bər ɪŋ /

ADJECTIVE

serious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dangerous deep difficult far-reaching grievous important major meaningful severe significant tough urgent

WEAK

arduous fateful fell formidable grave grim hard heavy laborious meaning business menacing momentous no joke no laughing matter of consequence operose out for blood playing hard ball pressing smoking strenuous strictly business threatening ugly unamusing unhumorous worrying

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm easy facile friendly insignificant little meaningless minor small trivial unimportant worthless

WEAK

flippant funny happy light unserious

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.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the figure as "sobering".

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Still, “Time and Water” collapses the notion that we are somehow separate from these ancient, essential formations: an encouraging hello to the future from inside a sobering goodbye.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Altogether, the Browns’ decision to deal away the 30-year-old Garrett is a sobering admission that a team that has won only eight games over the past two years is still years away from seriously contending.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Tech companies are spending big on building out AI infrastructure, and Google’s new equity offering is a sobering reminder that money doesn’t grow on trees.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Once I’d conjured up that sobering image, I was able to focus on my situation, and the question at hand: What was she doing here?

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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