as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
some people find a glass of wine to be a civilized and sedative addition to an evening meal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tranquilizer
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sedative
Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 26 Mar. 2026
In high doses, users report sedative effects, according to a Department of Justice fact sheet.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
Curry was injected with an unknown substance, likely a sedative, by EMS.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Adjective
Depending on the dosage, consumption can cause stimulant effects in low dosages and sedative effects in high doses, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration in 2020.
—Josh Kelly, Oklahoman, 26 Mar. 2026
In high doses, users report sedative effects, according to a Department of Justice fact sheet.
—Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
The wrecked car was overturned with the nude model sleeping inside—playing dead with help from a mild sedative.
—Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026
Curry was injected with an unknown substance, likely a sedative, by EMS.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Adjective
-
In the photos, Biles and Owens, 30, enjoyed a relaxing day by the pool.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
-
With a few upgrades, your own backyard becomes a relaxing oasis.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
As the tranquilizer kicked in, the bear climbed higher into the tree before stumbling down a branch, eventually losing its grip completely and falling into the net.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Fentanyl in street drugs is in some cases being mixed with or supplemented by dangerous alternatives, including the animal tranquilizer medetomidine and cychlorphine, an emergent synthetic opioid that carries an extreme risk of overdose.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One approach to the treatment of pain, almost regardless of its cause, has gained both acceptance and notoriety: the use of opioids, or narcotic analgesics.—
Dr. Patricia Richard,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Here's what to know about the medication, a powerful painkiller that belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Those are paired with a soothing lineup of Centella asiatica, madecassoside, panthenol, and allantoin to keep skin balanced (as irritation can worsen pigmentation).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 May 2026
-
Opt for Warm Lighting Harsh lighting is the opposite of soothing, says Brooks.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Two of fall's most comforting flavors combined?—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
The production is cold, distant, and uncertain, like the world lately, but within the song the lyrics feel warm and comforting.—
Time,
Time,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
The race there begins somberly in the museum before runners bound up one flight of stairs into a hallway that leads into the main stairwell; from there, the steps settle into continuous, shallow right turns providing a repetitive, hypnotic cadence.—
Michelle Sinclair Colman,
Curbed,
7 May 2026
-
Elevated rooms—some villas sit on stilts above the jungle floor, giving full treehouse vibes—offer total immersion within the thick, humid jungle, underscored by wild birds, hypnotic cicadas, and the swing of mischievous monkeys.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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