tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər 

ˈtran-

variants or less commonly tranquillizer

1

: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (such as anxiety and tension) compare antipsychotic

2

: one that tranquilizes

Examples of tranquilizer in a Sentence

a patient who is on tranquilizers

Recent Examples on the Web

The medical staff gave her Xanax, a tranquilizer, and the painkiller oxycodone in pill form, according to medical records Sono Bello turned over to Schaeffer’s attorney. —Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 29 July 2025

According to the municipal code, tranquilizers can be used as a means of capture. —Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2025

However, there was no working tranquilizer gun found in the home and authorities say Barry's DNA was not on that plastic cap. —Paul Larosa, CBS News, 3 July 2025

Brunson’s video captured the kangaroo moving slowly on a hill by the highway moments after it was shot with a tranquilizer. —Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tranquilizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer

Kids Definition

tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er

variants also tranquillizer

ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər 

ˈtran-

: one that tranquilizes

especially : a drug used to reduce anxiety and nervous tension

Medical Definition

tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er

variants or chiefly British tranquillizer or tranquilliser

-ˌlī-zər 

: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (as anxiety and tension) see antipsychotic