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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as in tranquilizer
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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
CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
The outlet also alleged that security used a sedative on him, citing a family traveling on the ship.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 18 Dec. 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
Its execution protocol begins with midazolam, a sedative, followed by a second drug, vecuronium bromide, which paralyzes the inmate.
—CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
The outlet also alleged that security used a sedative on him, citing a family traveling on the ship.
—Escher Walcott, People.com, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Noun
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Following his 2017 indictment for marijuana usage, which remains strictly forbidden in South Korea, Seung-hyun overdosed on tranquilizers.Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2024
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Today, some health researchers theorize there’s a silver lining in the presence of these dangerous tranquilizers.Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Try providing the breed with a calmer and more soothing environment.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
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Neither Austan Goolsbee’s predictably soothing words nor the Friday index rebound were enough to offset fully the quicksilver repricing of Federal Reserve’s rate-setting path for next year, nor the 3% dump in the S & P 500 on Wednesday that followed the Fed’s decision and outlook release.Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Cedarwood Essential Oil Cedarwood has antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.6 There is very little research on the impact of cedarwood essential oil on hair health.Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
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Some early research shows that safflower oil may reduce inflammation in the body—and likely has antifungal, antimicrobial, and potential analgesic (pain-relieving) effects.Cristina Mutchler, Health, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near sedative
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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