tranquilizer
noun
tran·quil·iz·er
ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər 
ˈtran-
variants
or less commonly tranquillizer
1
: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (such as anxiety and tension) compare antipsychotic
2
: one that tranquilizes
Examples of tranquilizer in a Sentence
a patient who is on tranquilizers
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1980, Gallup asked whether Americans would object strongly to some presidential behaviors, including using tranquilizers occasionally (36% did), seeing a psychiatrist (30%), wearing jeans occasionally in the Oval Office (21%) and having a cocktail before dinner each night (14%).
—
Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
However, in some cases, such as capturing and restraining a wild animal to relocate it, workers use tranquilizers or sedatives to make the animal sleepy, or cover its eyes and ears to reduce fear and prevent long-lasting problems.
—Rachel Blaser, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
Animal tranquilizers enhance the user’s euphoric high from opioids, particularly in those who have developed a tolerance to the opioid.
—C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Sometimes, short-acting tranquilizers can help, but some of these same medicines can also cause sleepwalking.18
When sleepwalking is related to an underlying disorder or medication, treating that condition or switching medications may help.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tranquilizer
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.
Karlyn Bowman, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
However, in some cases, such as capturing and restraining a wild animal to relocate it, workers use tranquilizers or sedatives to make the animal sleepy, or cover its eyes and ears to reduce fear and prevent long-lasting problems.
—Rachel Blaser, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
Animal tranquilizers enhance the user’s euphoric high from opioids, particularly in those who have developed a tolerance to the opioid.
—C. Michael White, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
Sometimes, short-acting tranquilizers can help, but some of these same medicines can also cause sleepwalking.18
When sleepwalking is related to an underlying disorder or medication, treating that condition or switching medications may help.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tranquilizer
Cite this Entry
“Tranquilizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquilizer. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tranquilizer
noun
tran·quil·iz·er
variants
also tranquillizer
ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər
ˈtran-
: one that tranquilizes
especially
: a drug used to reduce anxiety and nervous tension
Medical Definition
tranquilizer
noun
tran·quil·iz·er
variants
or chiefly British tranquillizer
or tranquilliser
: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (as anxiety and tension) see antipsychotic
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share