tranquilize

verb

tran·​quil·​ize ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz How to pronounce tranquilize (audio)
ˈtran-
variants or less commonly tranquillize
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 sense 1
2
: to make one tranquil

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 on the Web Additional traps will be set up on Wednesday as Animal Services continues to patrol the area in hopes of locating and tranquilizing the coyote, according to city officials. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 Then, on Sunday, spotters in a slow-flying plane identified and began tracking several wolves, communicating information to a separate team in a helicopter that tranquilized them from the air. Anna Kramer, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2023 The hippos must first be located and tranquilized with a dart through their two-inch-thick skin. Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023 The officers were able to locate and identify the bear based on a description early Tuesday morning near the hotel but were unable to safely tranquilize and capture it, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2023 Immerse yourself in the tranquilizing effects of CBD, encapsulated in a convenient and irresistibly delectable form. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 14 July 2023 Enter Email Sign Up So state environmental police decided to tranquilize it. Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 26 June 2023 The environmental department didn't tranquilize the animal because tranquilizers don’t take effect immediately. Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 12 June 2023 The sow and one cub were euthanized, while the other two cubs were tranquilized and transported to a rehabilitation facility. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 8 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tranquilize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tranquilize was in 1623

Dictionary Entries Near tranquilize

Cite this Entry

“Tranquilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquilize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tranquilize

verb
tran·​quil·​ize
variants also tranquillize
tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing
: to make or become tranquil or relaxed
especially : to ease the nervous tension and anxiety of usually by means of drugs

Medical Definition

tranquilize

transitive verb
tran·​quil·​ize
variants or chiefly British tranquillize or tranquillise
tranquilized or chiefly British tranquilized or tranquilised; tranquilizing or chiefly British tranquilizing or tranquilising
: to make tranquil or calm
especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs
tranquilization noun
or chiefly British tranquillization or tranquillisation

More from Merriam-Webster on tranquilize

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