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 the park, the medical outreach team handed out glass pipes and test kits that can detect fentanyl or veterinary tranquilizer in drugs before they’re consumed, possibly saving lives. —Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024

An Ohio woman was sentenced to 40 years in prison this week for injecting her estranged husband with an animal tranquilizer — and then burying his body — during an attack that was partially captured on a vehicle dash camera. —Antonio Planas, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024

The tranquilizer is not to punish the people of Snowpiercer but is located in the back car, positioned perfectly for an ambush when Big Alice arrives. —Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2024

This may include antipsychotics (which block dopamine receptors in the brain), antidepressants, and tranquilizers (drugs that reduce anxiety, fear, and tension).13 Medication alone does not usually resolve symptoms. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids 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

-ˌlī-zər 

: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (as anxiety and tension) see antipsychotic