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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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

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 2 Dec. 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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!