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

The program tests for various drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and other opioids, as well as xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that authorities have warned is increasingly being found mixed in with other drugs. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Only when Teddy pins her down long enough to inject a tranquilizer is Michelle finally subdued. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025

Non-lethal techniques, from tranquilizers to close-quarters combat, challenge you to play without bloodshed. —PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025

The dosage of the tranquilizer would depend on the weight of the elephant. —Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tranquilizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer

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