sanity

noun

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

Synonyms of sanity

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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.
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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.
Salazar and jurors are due back on court Wednesday for proceedings regarding his sanity at the time of the shooting, which will determine whether he is sent to state prison or committed to a state hospital. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026 The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office said the trial now moves into the sanity phase. — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 The President knows Mike Lindell will Make Minnesota Affordable Again, clean up the fraud, and restore sanity. — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026 For her own sanity, McRae prefers to float above the noise, staying out of the discourse and letting the work speak for itself. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sanity

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

Phrases Containing sanity

Rhymes for sanity

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Browse Nearby Words

sanitizer
sanity
San Jacinto
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Cite this Entry

“Sanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanity. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
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