tranquilize

verb

tran·​quil·​ize ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz 

ˈtran-

variants or less commonly tranquillize

tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing

transitive verb

: to make tranquil or calm : pacify

especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs

intransitive verb

1

: to become tranquil : relax sense 1

2

: to make one tranquil

Synonyms

• becalm
• calm
• compose
• lull
• lullaby
• quiet
• quieten [chiefly British]
• salve
• settle
• soothe
• still

Examples of tranquilize in a Sentence

They tranquilized the bear with a dart so that it could be safely moved to a different area.

at long last the crying baby was tranquilized by the steady rocking of her cradle

Recent Examples on the Web

After the sheriff placed a padlock on the trap and threatened to alert the media of the impending release, a biologist was called in to tranquilize the bear, and it was examined and found to be male. —Steven Hill, Field & Stream, 13 June 2024

Healey said biologists made the decision to tranquilize the animals and relocate them. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2024

The cubs were tranquilized and transported to an undisclosed location. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2024

Experts are divided on whether travelers with pets should sedate or tranquilize their dogs before a flight (even the American Veterinary Medical Association offers a slightly murky answer to this question), so weigh the pros and cons with an expert who is familiar with you and your animal. —Matt Meltzer, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

tranquilize

verb

tran·​quil·​ize

variants also tranquillize

ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz 

ˈtran-

tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing

: to make or become tranquil or relaxed

especially : to ease the nervous tension and anxiety of usually by means of drugs

Medical Definition

tranquilize

transitive verb

tran·​quil·​ize

variants or chiefly British tranquillize or tranquillise

ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz, ˈtran- 

tranquilized or chiefly British tranquilized or tranquilised; tranquilizing or chiefly British tranquilizing or tranquilising

: to make tranquil or calm

especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs

tranquilization noun

or chiefly British tranquillization or tranquillisation

ˌtraŋ-kwə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌtran-