SEDATIVE Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

sedative 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-də-tiv

Definition of sedative

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

sedative

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sedative

Adjective

McClain, a 23-year-old Black man, died after Aurora police put him in a neck hold and a paramedic injected him with an overdose of sedative ketamine. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 June 2026 In that sense, pregabalin (brand name Lyrica), which is used to treat nerve pain and is associated with sedative effects, is less common. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026

Noun

The woman did a Google image search and concluded that the drug was stronger — Ambien, a prescription sedative, reads the complaint. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026 The attorneys also said prosecutors did not prove the sedative is what killed him. — Mead Gruver, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sedative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative

Adjective

Kate Hudson enjoyed a relaxing beach day with her kids, 7-year-old Rani and 14-year-old Bingham, in Athens, Greece.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Audiences want a quiet, efficient, relaxing, fun, visually engaging, communal experience unavailable at home.

— Joseph M. Singer, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026

Definition of relaxing

Noun

Other monkeys, including some of the larger and more dominant macaques, had to be subdued with tranquilizer darts before they could be captured.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
The worrisome drug withdrawal popping up in jails A powerful tranquilizer has started to accompany fentanyl in the country’s illicit opioid supply, and jails are struggling to handle the drug’s excruciating, complicated withdrawal symptoms.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026

Definition of tranquilizer

Adjective

That a series finally found some new themes to focus on is as much a soothing break as all the B-roll of ocean waves and clapboard houses.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 9 July 2026
My nearly two-hour Manoa Mist treatment included a full-body sugar exfoliation and soothing-but-therapeutic lomi lomi massage, performed by a therapist who spent years in the medical field and really knew her stuff.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026

Definition of soothing

Noun

But the 7-OH industry has organized against the potential prohibition, claiming 7-OH is kratom, despite only appearing in trace amounts within the leaves of the kratom plant, and that its benefits as an analgesic outweigh its potential harms.

— Mattha Busby, Wired News, 15 June 2026
Across all participants, 81% reduced their use of oral analgesics, and the suppository was well-tolerated, with most participants willing to use it again.

— Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Definition of analgesic

Adjective

Plus, all of the songs put you in a nearly hypnotic trance that forces you to count in your head or tap your foot along to the beats.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 July 2026
There’s something hypnotic and ritualistic in it, something that can become almost shamanic, almost therapeutic — like a sound bath.

— Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026

Definition of hypnotic

Browse Nearby Words

sedating

sedative

sedatives

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“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sedative

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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