: a sedative agent or drug
Synonyms of sedative
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Adjective
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
Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
This ancient beverage, derived from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, is typically consumed to produce sedative and euphoric effects that might increase sociability and reduce anxiety.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
The Food and Drug Administration has approved different medications to treat alcohol, opioid and nicotine use disorders, but none exist for cannabis, stimulants such as cocaine or sedatives such as benzodiazepine.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
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Adjective
Micron has come a long way since its humble founding nearly half a century ago in the basement of a Boise dental office, where sedative gas wafted through the floorboards and an early executive used a hair dryer to keep the company’s logo from smearing off its chips.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026
This ancient beverage, derived from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant, is typically consumed to produce sedative and euphoric effects that might increase sociability and reduce anxiety.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Women who took the stand described being viciously attacked after they had been isolated, often after they had been drugged with date rape drugs and other sedatives.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
The Food and Drug Administration has approved different medications to treat alcohol, opioid and nicotine use disorders, but none exist for cannabis, stimulants such as cocaine or sedatives such as benzodiazepine.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedative. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sedative
1 of 2 adjective
sed·a·tive
ˈsed-ət-iv 
: tending to calm or to ease tension
sedative
2 of 2 noun
: a sedative medicine
Medical Definition
sedative
1 of 2 adjective
sed·a·tive
ˈsed-ət-iv
: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement
sedative effects of anesthetics and analgesics—Linda C. Haynes et al.
Linda C. Haynes et al.sedative
2 of 2 noun
: a sedative agent or drug
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