SOBERNESS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

soberness

noun

Definition of soberness

as in intentness

a mental state free of jesting or trifling the unexpected soberness of the class clown at the memorial service was startling

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of soberness Because of the way the director works, emotions tend to be more discussed than felt, although there’s something about Carla’s desperation that pierces through all the soberness. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soberness

Noun

The technology uses rapid rotation to create centrifugal forces far stronger than normal gravity, helping separate radioactive materials more efficiently.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Performing complex biological work is no longer limited to people whose advanced education and professional occupations would impress on them the gravity of their responsibilities to do no harm.

— Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of gravity

Noun

There are hints of Gilmore Girls in the show’s quaint setting and generational role reversal, traces of Dawson’s Creek in its adolescent earnestness.

— Judy Berman, Time, 4 Aug. 2026
After casting was complete, the single most important goal for the creative team was not letting the parody aspect of the work take away any of the earnestness from their performances.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of earnestness

Noun

Gore is best known for Make America Great Again, her 2016 naked portrait of Trump with the paunch and solemnity of the great men of art history, adding, crucially, the tiniest of compensatory micropenises.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026
As his own self-celebration has fizzled, a void has opened between the scheduled roster of events and the true purpose and meaning of the solemnity of July 4, 2026.

— David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026

Definition of solemnity

Noun

By May 2026, all 11 of xAI’s original cofounders had departed the company, a cascade that began in earnest in February when Tony Wu, described as one of the most operationally central cofounders, announced his resignation.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Modern viticulture began in earnest here in the 1970s before blossoming in the ’90s.

— Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 June 2026

Definition of earnest

Noun

Although this condition is linked to a wide variety of negative health effects, the public chronically underestimates its seriousness.

— Marie Doyle, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2026
Like all of Roth’s content, there is a mix of dead seriousness, dry sarcasm, and wondrous joy in equal measure.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of seriousness

Browse Nearby Words

sober

soberness

sobersided

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“Soberness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soberness. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of soberness

noun

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