sanity

noun

san·​i·​ty ˈsa-nə-tē How to pronounce sanity (audio)
: the quality or state of being sane
especially : soundness or health of mind

Examples of sanity in a Sentence

People have begun to doubt his sanity. She is the mother of six children but somehow keeps her sanity. The sanity of the decision was never in question.
Recent Examples on the Web The savvy siblings must band together not only to dispose of the body (in a sequence with a solid self-aware joke at the expense of the 1991 film), but also to survive without cash or a guardian — and without disrupting their mother’s sanity. Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Apr. 2024 The only harm might be to your sanity – cicadas make a buzzing noise that can be as loud as a lawnmower, about 100 decibels. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024 Woman rejects 'worst name ever' for child, pleads with others for 'sanity' check. Fox News, 25 Mar. 2024 That’s impossible just now, because border politics have lost any semblance of sanity. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 By the strange alchemy of demagoguery, a brief visit to the surface of sanity annulled years and years of crazy. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Then again, maintaining one’s sanity these days might be a priceless commodity among the coaching fraternity given the numerous potential headaches head coaches have to deal with these days with the transfer portal and NIL spinning out of control. Tom Layberger, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 He is vilified by society and tried by a criminal justice system that tests his sanity and the bonds of his family. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Save money – and your sanity – at these all-inclusive resorts The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sanity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sanite, from Anglo-French sanité, from Latin sanitat-, sanitas health, sanity, from sanus healthy, sane

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sanity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near sanity

Cite this Entry

“Sanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanity. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

sanity

noun
san·​i·​ty ˈsan-ət-ē How to pronounce sanity (audio)
: the quality or state of being sane

Medical Definition

sanity

noun
san·​i·​ty ˈsan-ət-ē How to pronounce sanity (audio)
plural sanities
: the quality or state of being sane
especially : soundness or health of mind

Legal Definition

sanity

noun
san·​i·​ty
: the quality or state of being sane compare insanity

More from Merriam-Webster on sanity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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