sobering

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.

Stratford’s assessment of where U.S.-China relations stand today is sobering.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The words were a sobering declaration for any Fed chair, let alone one who until recently had spent his eight years avoiding public conflict with the president.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

I’m sadly reminded of colleagues who never recovered, a sobering thought as we stare down the barrel of yet another employment crisis.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine called the negative outlook “a sobering wake-up call about the fiscal challenges ahead for us,” noting that it is the city’s first negative outlook since the Covid-19 crisis.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

The walk toward her had been as sobering as usual, each step weakening his resolve to have a good day.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner