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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example 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
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
What’s more, the skin wounds and sedative effects that are associated with xylazine may be motivating some people to avoid using street fentanyl.
—Ben Cocchiaro, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
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
The first attempt involved giving him sedatives a couple of hours before the appointment.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025
What’s more, the skin wounds and sedative effects that are associated with xylazine may be motivating some people to avoid using street fentanyl.
—Ben Cocchiaro, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Noun
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Parker Posey is especially good as a homemaker, Violet Ratliff, who arrives with a cache of tranquilizers—these are soon being pilfered and swallowed by her husband, Timothy (Jason Isaacs), a businessman about to be exposed for fraud.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
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He's been shot twice by bullets and other times by tranquilizer darts.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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It’s powered by an ingredient called Centella asiatica, which is known for its soothing properties.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The mattress was extremely comfortable—firm, body-conforming, and had a sense of evenness and stability that was very soothing and calming.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Participants who’d been issued at least two acetaminophen prescriptions within six months – and not in combination with other analgesics like codeine – were defined as exposed to acetaminophen.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Dec. 2024
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Importantly, the medication is not an opioid, which means that medical professionals now have an alternative to treating acute pain that doesn’t require using a potentially addictive analgesic.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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