sober
adjective
not intoxicated or drunk.
were sobering
-
past progressiveof sober.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Environment Minister Murray Watt said the seal deaths were "sobering" and showed Australia must not be complacent in preparing for the strain possibly making it to the mainland.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
But even with the upturns among these students, their scores were sobering: 36.8% were proficient in English, 25% in math and 20.7% in science.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2024
The defense secretary’s remarks were sobering, although there were lighter moments in his speech Saturday inside the Reagan Presidential Library’s vast Air Force One Pavilion.
From Washington Times ● Dec. 2, 2023
But China's latest inflation figures on Monday were sobering.
From Reuters ● Jul. 10, 2023
As he said, once listened rightly to, the music of the falling waters gave suggestions which, if they were sobering, were still not sad.
From In the Valley by Harold Frederic
