Standard Lemma guide

sobering

adj · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: S OW1 B ER0 IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Causing more sober thought or concern.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • It was a sobering thought that I had almost killed myself. That was something I wouldn't soon do on purpose again.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of sober

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

tending to make sober or more serious

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the news had a sobering effect

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: enseriante — Translations
  • Spanish: aseriante — Translations
  • Spanish: espabilante — Translations