tranquilize

verb tran·quil·ize \ ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz , ˈtran- \

variants: or less commonly tranquillize

|Updated on: 1 Aug 2018

Examples: tranquilize in a Sentence

Definition of tranquilize

tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing

transitive verb

: to make tranquil or calm : pacify; especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs

intransitive verb

1 : to become tranquil : relax 1

2 : to make one tranquil

See tranquilize defined for English-language learners

See tranquilize defined for kids

Examples of tranquilize in a Sentence

They tranquilized the bear with a dart so that it could be safely moved to a different area.
at long last the crying baby was tranquilized by the steady rocking of her cradle

Recent Examples of tranquilize from the Web

The lions have been tranquilized to enable the police and the anti-poaching unit to continue the investigation, according to Fox’s statement.

— deanna paul, Washington Post, "Suspected poachers were looking for rhinos. They found hungry lions instead, game reserve owner says.," 5 July 2018
After tranquilizing the bear, officials were able to recover Bhatara’s body.

— Fox News, "Injured bear fatally mauls man who attempted to take a selfie with it," 7 May 2018
Six lions were tranquilized so police could search the area the next day, alongside the reserve’s anti-poaching unit and other specialists.

— jewel wicker, Teen Vogue, "Lions Kill Suspected Rhino Poachers in South Africa," 6 July 2018
The report states the dog was eventually subdued and tranquilized.

— cain buchmeier, Post-Tribune, "Pit bull euthanized after attacking vet assistant, police say — same animal injured 8-year-old weeks earlier," 5 July 2018
The lions were set to be tranquilized the following morning so authorities could search the area for clues.

— USA TODAY, "Pride of lions eat suspected 'rhino poachers' on South African game reserve," 5 July 2018
According to the Idaho State Journal, Zoo Idaho Director Peter Pruett said the bear was safely tranquilized Tuesday afternoon, and Idaho Fish and Game will transport the bear to a safe, more suitable environment away from civilization.

— christina lords, idahostatesman, "Wild bear breaks into S. Idaho zoo, climbs tree to wait out Fish and Game officials," 3 July 2018
The gorilla was tranquilized by veterinarians and returned to his den.

— kate samuelson, Time, "Lions, Tigers and a Jaguar Escaped From a Zoo and Are on the Loose in Germany," 1 June 2018
One teacher apparently twisted a child’s arm behind their back, which was followed by medical staff administering a shot to tranquilize the child.

— emma russell, The New Republic, "“That’s like the old Soviet Union used to do.”," 20 June 2018

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