Meaning & use
Sobering
Last updated
Causing one to feel serious, thoughtful, or subdued, especially after realizing the seriousness of a situation.
See it in a sentence
The doctor's diagnosis was a sobering reminder to take her health seriously.
It was a sobering experience to see the devastation left by the flood.
A note on using this word
Originally describing something that counteracts drunkenness, "sobering" is now used almost entirely in the figurative sense of prompting serious reflection.
Words with a similar meaning
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