sobering

American  

[soh-ber-ing] / ˈsoʊ bər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. serious, grave, or solemn.

   One of the most sobering visits was to the cemetery at Omaha Beach where 18,000 American servicemen lie buried.

   The agency has issued a sobering warning about the health of the world's oceans.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsobering
  adjective
• soberingly
  adverb
• unsobering
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sobering

sober ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Something that's sobering is serious, and even a little bit worrying. It's sobering to learn that someone you love is very ill. You can use the adjective sobering when you talk about news that feels heavy and important. Environmental studies about climate change are sobering, and statistics about the number of stray dogs and cats in the country are sobering too. Things that are sobering make you feel sober, or serious and solemn. The Latin root, sobrius, means "not intoxicated," which is also the original definition of sober.

Example Sentences

Sobering news came Thursday in an announcement from automaker Stellantis, whose brands include Jeep, Citroën and Ram.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2025

Sobering and sprawling, according to the New York Times, the film uses the local uprising to “pose broader questions about the feasibility of democratic and anticorruption reforms in China..”

From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2021

Sobering editorial by Nathan Gardels on the Noema magazine site.

From The Guardian • Aug. 22, 2020

Sobering and scary: I was in my bedroom … when I heard the announcement on the radio.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 4, 2018

Sobering eventually, she wondered what Cowperwood would think of her now if he knew this?

From The Titan by Dreiser, Theodore

Related Words

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