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

The owner of the emus is working with law enforcement to tranquilize and recapture them. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

Game and Fish officers were summoned and, with the help of Tucson Police, darted and tranquilized the young male lion. —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2024

The lion was tranquilized about 12:30 p.m. and was taken to the regional office of Arizona Game and Fish, according to Tucson police. —Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2024

Photos show a wildlife officer crawling under the building, likely to tranquilize the bear, and then show a handful of officers and deputies carrying it on a tarp. —Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2024

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-