Definition of sedative
: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement
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Examples of sedative in a Sentence
some people find a glass of wine to be a civilized and sedative addition to an evening meal
Recent Examples of sedative from the Web
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Drugs, too, but the sedative effects of most anti-motion pharmaceuticals are incompatible with making your livelihood at sea.
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Indica is generally sedative and can be used as a sleep aid.
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The principal obstacle, of course, is the controversy over midazolam, the sedative component of a drug cocktail that is supposed to put the subject into a state of unconscious painlessness at the time of death.
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The drink is made from a ground up root common to the South Pacific, and produces a (very) mild sedative effect.
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Neglect for Responsibilities Exacerbated by the drug’s sedative effects, an addict will often shirk important responsibilities.
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They were taken to a police station after officers found a sedative pill on one friend.
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Neglect for Responsibilities Exacerbated by the drug’s sedative effects, an addict will often shirk important responsibilities.
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Polanski plied the girl with champagne and part of a sedative pill before raping her, according to grand jury transcripts.
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.
Origin and Etymology of sedative
Middle English, alleviating pain, from Middle French sedatif, from Medieval Latin sedativus, from Latin sedatus
sedative Synonyms
Synonyms
calming, comforting, dreamy, lulling, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, soothing, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing);
Near Antonyms
painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, unsettling, worrisome;
energizing, invigorating, stimulant, stimulating;
aggravating, annoying, bothersome, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, grating, harassing, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, troublesome, vexatious, vexing;
Related Words
Definition of sedative
: a sedative agent or drug
Examples of sedative in a Sentence
The patient was given a powerful sedative.
Recent Examples of sedative from the Web
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Two and a half hours in sealed, cramped, airborne quarters next to a man and his dog called for a sedative.
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Officially Killed Michael Jackson —— is confirming that Michael Jackson's cause of death was a homicide via lethal overdose of propofol, a sedative hypnotic that is typically used for surgical sedation.
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Midazolam, a benzodiazepine, was developed in the 1970s and became one of the world’s most commonly used sedatives; it is used to make a prisoner unconscious and limit pain.
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Under the pretense of making a cocktail of painkillers to dull Paul’s aching joints, Jane doses her husband with a sedative—an almost too-obvious metaphor for the seductive excesses of their patrician lifestyle.
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However, your veterinarian should have the final say, and may prescribe a light sedative.
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As for prescription meds, sedatives, anti-anxiety meds called benzodiazepines, and antidepressants can help, but these options may also be habit-forming and can also cause serious side effects.
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Worse, prescription sedatives and some OTC sleep aids can be risky, especially for older adults, with side effects that can include dry mouth, confusion, dizziness, next-day drowsiness, and impaired balance and coordination.
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Arkansas wanted to execute eight men over 11 days last year, before 160 vials of a sedative expired.
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.
First Known Use of sedative
1797
SEDATIVE Defined for English Language Learners
sedative
Definition of sedative for English Language Learners
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: a drug that calms or relaxes someone
SEDATIVE Defined for Kids
Definition of sedative for Students
: a medicine that calms or relaxes someone
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of sedative
: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement
- sedative effects of anesthetics and analgesics
- —Linda C. Haynes et al
Learn More about sedative
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sedative Spanish Central: Translation of sedative Nglish: Translation of sedative for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sedative for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sedative
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