sedative 1 of 2

adjective

ˈse-də-tiv How to pronounce sedative (audio)
Definition of sedativenext
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

2 of 2

noun

as in tranquilizer

Related Words

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
But the police also caution that many stories involving scopolamine verge on urban legend, and confirm that most criminals use other sedative drugs to manipulate their victims. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 Otto recommends families seek opinions from pediatricians, speech-language pathologists and ENT doctors before deciding on a frenectomy, following a recent Fort Worth procedure that ended in a 4-year-old girl’s death from a sedative overdose. — Star-Telegram Staff. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
When Riechmann's mother was pregnant with her in the early 1960s, the doctor gave her a new sedative to help with her nausea. — Tana Weingartner, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026 As in Monster, Lizzie blamed some of her story inconsistencies on the morphine she’d been administered as a sedative. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
  1. relaxing
  2. tranquilizer
  3. soothing
  4. analgesic
  5. comforting
  6. hypnotic
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Cozy Earth and Brooklinen offer everything from soft sheets to plush comforters to help make your bedroom feel like a relaxing retreat.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Green Tones Soft sage, olive, and forest green connect indoor spaces to the natural world, creating a relaxing, mood-boosting atmosphere.
    — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of relaxing
Noun
  • Authorities have issued bear-hunting permits across eight provinces and are seeking to procure tranquilizer dart guns to support rangers in rural areas.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Her husband hurriedly shut the door and begged her to see a doctor for a tranquilizer prescription.
    — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of tranquilizer
Adjective
  • Ranging from loud and piercing to soft and soothing, the sounds of police surveillance drones mingled and merged with those of the protesters’ countersurveillance drones.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The noodles vibrate with heat, ricocheting between the prickly Sichuan pepper, hot garlic, chiles and soothing sesame.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of soothing
Noun
  • The authors posit that people from that period sucked on betel nuts to relieve tooth pain, given that these populations are known to have had bad teeth and arecoline is a natural analgesic.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Unprocessed nuts likely offer milder effects, but arceoline remains a natural analgesic.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of analgesic
Adjective
  • The pastas, in particular, are worth a visit alone, especially the rigatoni alla vodka, which uses a one-two umami punch of white miso and guanciale, along with the deliriously comforting rollatini with white ragu.
    — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Silica and perlite also give skin a matte, slick-free finish, while the brand’s signature thermal spring water adds a comforting touch.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of comforting
Adjective
  • Case in point, in that early-’10s resurgence, others returned to the source and cooked up a suite of stupefyingly hypnotic remixes.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Watch his hypnotic Instagram Reels, and you’ll be transfixed by his meticulous brushwork, application of delicate gold leaf, and detailed flourishes.
    — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of hypnotic

Browse Nearby Words

sedating
sedative
sedatives
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Cite this Entry

“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sedative

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sedative

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