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View synonyms for

sober

[ soh-ber ]

adjective

soberer, soberest.
  1. not intoxicated or drunk.
  2. habitually temperate, especially in the use of liquor.

    Synonyms: ,

  3. quiet or sedate in demeanor, as persons.
  4. marked by seriousness, gravity, solemnity, etc., as of demeanor, speech, etc.:

    a sober occasion.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  5. subdued in tone, as color; not colorful or showy, as clothes.

    Synonyms: ,

  6. free from excess, extravagance, or exaggeration:

    sober facts.

  7. showing self-control:

    sober restraint.

    Synonyms: ,

  8. sane or rational:

    a sober solution to the problem.

    Synonyms: ,



verb (used with or without object)

  1. to make or become sober: (often followed by up ).

sober

/ ˈəʊə /

adjective

  1. not drunk
  2. not given to excessive indulgence in drink or any other activity
  3. sedate and rational

    a sober attitude to a problem

  4. (of colours) plain and dull or subdued
  5. free from exaggeration or speculation

    he told us the sober truth

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. usually foll by up to make or become less intoxicated, reckless, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈDzԲ, adjective
  • ˈDzԱ, noun
  • ˈDzԲly, adverb
  • ˈDz, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ·· adverb
  • ··Ա noun
  • ԴDz·· adjective
  • non··· adverb
  • non···Ա noun
  • ܲ·-· adjective
  • qua·si-·· adverb
  • ܲ·· adjective
  • un··· adverb
  • un···Ա noun
  • ܲ··ed adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sober1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sobre, from Old French, from Latin ōܲ
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Word History and Origins

Origin of sober1

C14 sobre, from Old French, from Latin ōܲ
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Synonym Study

See grave 2.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I finally got clean and sober 25 years ago, with help from a lot of people, when I had my big moment of clarity — that I deserved more than what I was doing to myself.

From

The Scottish government said every death in custody was tragic and said it would "carefully consider the findings of this sobering annual report".

From

"It is incredibly important to discuss your sexual and emotional boundaries when you are sober."

From

Whether speaking about the exquisite wonders of fungal life or about science funding woes, his tone was sober, frank, and scientific.

From

"But I realised, the biggest power you can give someone over you is in how you react. So I decided, I'm going to get sober, I'm going to get fit, and I discovered boxing."

From

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so be itsober as a judge