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
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.
Sometimes, the only way to preserve your sanity is to go a little insane yourself. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 The man known only as ‘B’ is half-mortal and half-god, cursed and compelled to violence, even at the sacrifice of his sanity. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025 Season 3 finds the brittle sanity of Navajo Tribal policeman Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon, still deserving of an Emmy) eroding in the aftermath of the death of B.J. Vines (John Diehl) — a fateful figure with ties to his family. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025 The first Trump administration, for all its occasional internal dysfunction, brought a welcome course correction back toward normalcy and sanity: The economy was revving, the border was secure, and there were no new foreign wars. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sanity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sanity. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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

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