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.

One union said the numbers were "sobering" and fatigue built up in recent years continued to place a strain on staff.

From BBC • Dec. 30, 2023

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

When students resumed taking them in 2022, the results were sobering.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 23, 2023

The way had been made plain, the ground had been cleared, the wild oats of adventure and knight-errantry had been sown, and the peoples were sobering down to steadier and more prudent enterprise.

From A Historical Geography of the British Colonies Vol. V, Canada—Part I, Historical by Lucas, Charles Prestwood