anxiolytic

noun

an·​xi·​o·​lyt·​ic ˌaŋ-zē-ō-ˈli-tik How to pronounce anxiolytic (audio)
ˌaŋ(k)-sē-
: a drug that relieves anxiety
anxiolytic adjective

Examples of anxiolytic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web One study looked at people taking hypnotics or anxiolytics—anti-anxiety medications— consistently for three years. Sayaka Blickenderfer, Health, 16 Mar. 2024 What are benzodiazepines? Benzodiazepines are a class of anti-anxiety medications, or anxiolytics, that increase the activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in the brain. Arash Javanbakht, The Conversation, 18 Oct. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anxiolytic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French anxiolytique, adjective, from anxiété anxiety + -o- -o- + -lytique -lytic

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anxiolytic was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near anxiolytic

Cite this Entry

“Anxiolytic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anxiolytic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

anxiolytic

1 of 2 noun
anx·​io·​lyt·​ic ˌaŋ-zē-ō-ˈlit-ik How to pronounce anxiolytic (audio) ˌaŋ(k)-sē- How to pronounce anxiolytic (audio)
: a drug that relieves anxiety

anxiolytic

2 of 2 adjective
: relieving anxiety

More from Merriam-Webster on anxiolytic

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