as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
some people find a glass of wine to be a civilized and sedative addition to an evening meal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tranquilizer
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of sedative
Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2023
The first antipsychotic was designed as a sedative, and so on.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2017
Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
When preparing non-toxic food, perfectly even distribution isn’t usually a concern, but a gram of powder that may contain a mystery dose of a powerful sedative like ketamine — or even the far deadlier fentanyl — is dangerous.
—Celia Ford, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sedative 
Adjective
Kratom alkaloids stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects that range from sedative-like and calming to energizing and euphoric.
—Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2023
The first antipsychotic was designed as a sedative, and so on.
—Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2017
Noun
An example of over-the-counter drugs are anti-histamines that can help with insomnia, while some prescription drugs doctors may use are different types of sedatives and hypnotics.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
When preparing non-toxic food, perfectly even distribution isn’t usually a concern, but a gram of powder that may contain a mystery dose of a powerful sedative like ketamine — or even the far deadlier fentanyl — is dangerous.
—Celia Ford, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Noun
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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
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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
Adjective
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And yet the show has a soothing effect, predicated on the idea that human behavior (and misery) isn’t mysterious or unchangeable.Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
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Sunset Sherbet provides a soothing and calming effect, while the White Widow Hybrid THC-A Live Resin Liquid Budder Vape Pen offers a balanced mix of indica and sativa effects.Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Federal Aviation Administration mandates that commercial airplanes carry an arsenal of intravenous and diagnostic equipment, and various medications including analgesics, antihistamines and epinephrine.Christine Chung, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
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This category includes ketamine, lower doses of opioid analgesics and anabolic steroids, for instance.Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near sedative
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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