sedative

adjective

sed·a·tive | \ ˈse-də-tiv

Definition of sedative

(Entry 1 of 2)

: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement

sedative

noun

Definition of sedative (Entry 2 of 2)

: a sedative agent or drug

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Examples of sedative in a Sentence

Adjective

some people find a glass of wine to be a civilized and sedative addition to an evening meal

Noun

The patient was given a powerful sedative.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

This product contains another compound, CBN, which is thought to be the most sedative cannabinoid, but true scientific evidence is limited. — The Editors, Marie Claire, "10 Health Issues CBD Could Solve," 17 Apr. 2019 The muddy-brown drink is made from the crushed roots of the kava plant and produces a mild sedative effect. — Dan Sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Kavasutra Kava Bar serves its libations with a side of sexism and transphobia that has social media enraged," 10 July 2018 And when mixed with other drugs, particularly opioids or alcohol, the sedative effects can be dangerous and even life-threatening. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Lena Dunham Says She's 6 Months Sober After Years of 'Misusing' Her Anti-Anxiety Medication," 30 Oct. 2018 But the flip side of swimming’s sedative virtues is that swimming is boring. — Frank Wilczek, WSJ, "Swimming on Atomic and Cosmic Levels," 9 Aug. 2018 However, the board banned him from performing or supervising surgery that requires sedative anesthesia in an office. — Cassie Cope, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte area doctor banned from surgeries with anesthesia after 'substandard' care," 11 June 2018 One of the vets leaned out with a dart gun to deliver a dose of M99, a sedative thousands of times stronger than morphine. — Jason Florio, Smithsonian, "The Dangerous Work of Relocating 5,000-Pound Rhinos," 22 May 2018 Drugs, too, but the sedative effects of most anti-motion pharmaceuticals are incompatible with making your livelihood at sea. — Malia Wollan, New York Times, "How to Overcome Seasickness," 2 Feb. 2018 Indica is generally sedative and can be used as a sleep aid. — Brad Branan, sacbee, "A beginner’s guide to buying recreational marijuana in California | The Sacramento Bee," 26 Dec. 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Tennessee plans called for use of midazolam as a sedative, the muscle-relaxer vecuronium bromide and then potassium chloride to stop the heart. — Fox News, "Tennessee executes its first inmate in nearly a decade," 9 Aug. 2018 Indeed, sleep experts say alcohol, despite its reputation as a sedative, has a negative effect on sleep quality. — Sumathi Reddy, WSJ, "The Dry January Effect," 1 Jan. 2019 According to research by the American Chemical Society, drinking a cup of Chamomile tea is associated with an increase in the body's production of a chemical called glycine, which relaxes the nerves and acts as a mild sedative. — Noelle Devoe, Seventeen, "9 Life-Changing Hacks to Help You Fall Asleep Faster," 16 Feb. 2016 Like many performers at the time, Elvis was a heavy user of a number of prescription medications including opiates, barbiturates, and sedatives. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Inside the Enduring Mysteries of Elvis Presley's Death," 16 Mar. 2019 But critics of lethal injection say midazolam is too unreliable as a sedative and creates a risk of pain that violates the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment. — Jacob Gershman, WSJ, "Tennessee Death-Row Inmates Demand Execution by Firing Squad," 6 Nov. 2018 Then there’s a group of medicines called benzodiazepines that can rapidly decrease panicky feelings by working as a sedative, the Mayo Clinic explains. — Cassie Shortsleeve, SELF, "Is There a Difference Between an Anxiety Attack and a Panic Attack?," 12 Sep. 2018 According to modern lethal injection protocol, midazolam (a sedative) is the first of three drugs given to death row inmates. — Stavros Agorakis, Vox, "Tennessee death row inmates ask for electrocution over lethal injection. It’s a form of protest.," 3 Dec. 2018 Some research indicates this plant may have potential sedative and anxiety-reducing effects by increasing the neurotransmitter GABA. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "What You Need to Know About OTC Sleep Aids, According to Neurologists," 30 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sedative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.