sober
adjective
not intoxicated or drunk.
had been sobering
-
past perfect progressiveof sober.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
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.
Speaking to Politico, Mr Newsom said the past few months had been "sobering", but he is confident he will prevail.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2021
The regular sight of gasoline lines on the course had been sobering.
From New York Times ● Nov. 5, 2012
The ferocity of the creatures now heaped about them had been sobering, an effective warning against venturing alone in these underground ways.
From Star Born by Andre Norton
But their talk had been sobering to them both, for they spoke seriously then of various things.
From The Visioning by Susan Glaspell
