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. )

Example Sentences

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

However, this sobering trip to the Nou Camp felt another timely reminder of the gap Newcastle have to bridge.

From BBC

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

Comptroller Mark Levine called the move a “sobering wake-up call,” noting the city is spending more than it earns.

From Barron's

It looked a pretty sobering weekend for McLaren to be so far off the pace after being the best car the last couple of years.

From BBC

Related Words

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