sobering

adjective

so·​ber·​ing ˈsō-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce sobering (audio)
: tending to make one thoughtful or sober

Examples of sobering in a Sentence

His death is a sobering reminder of the dangers of mountaineering.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Admittedly, that figure is modest in the context of a population of 1.4 billion, but the longer-term trend is sobering: Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences—not known for pessimism—projects a low-end scenario in which China’s population falls to 525 million by 2100. Frank Lavin, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025 Despite these sobering numbers, there’s relatively little public debate in the region about its AI challenges. Andres Oppenheimer july 11, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025 However, the broader national picture is more sobering. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 And another sobering statistic that the DunedinPACNI age score revealed: Aging speed and dementia was strongly associated regardless of background and socioeconomic status. New Atlas, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sobering

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sobering was in 1816

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Cite this Entry

“Sobering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sobering. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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