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sobering

sobering

35 5.8
Making you feel serious and less cheerful after learning something worrying
  • adjective
  • /ˈsoʊbərɪŋ/
translation icon : aleccionador
  • The documentary provided a sobering look at the effects of climate change on our planet.
  • sobering news
  • sobering reminder
  • sobering thought

Acceptance means saying an unconditional yes to the sobering Givens of existence, the facts of life.

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Examples

  • In both countries, the history of slavery and its memory have recently spawned public debate and sobering reflection.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Now this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the scourge of nuclear weapons.

  • Well, it's been a sobering day for all of us.

  • As a result of this sobering experience, she decided to stay single.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Its most recent economic forecast features sobering news on American employment.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The situation is even more sobering when it comes to the policy choices of elected Democrats.

    Academic text (2011)
  • None of them doubted they had heard the truth, and the reality of it was sobering.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • What research does exist paints a sobering portrait.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Well, Rockin', you're right, I have affected destiny for all mankind, and it's a sobering thought.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • There is nothing more sobering than the discovery that you've influenced an impressionable young mind into worshiping you.

    Fiction book (1999)

Antonyms

111 1.0

Happy in a way you show with a smile or friendly actions

17 3.7

Feeling cheerful and not worried about serious things

How Serious

shocking
278 3.4
disturbing
304 4.2
serious
2.0
sobering
35 5.8
thoughtful
68 2.6
lighthearted
17 3.7

Surface Forms

sobering positive

Morphology

sobering = sober (transparent) = sober + ing

Formed by adding the productive suffix '-ing' to the verb 'sober'; the adjectival meaning 'causing one to become more serious' is directly predictable from the base.

Etymology

Sobering comes from sober, from the Latin sobrius meaning 'not drunk' and 'clear-headed'. So a sobering fact or moment clears your head and makes you more serious and thoughtful.