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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sedative
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
The library’s encyclopedias, clear and sedative beside the Bible’s cryptic thrills, still misled; Ruth lived for decades in an alternate reality containing Zanzibar and dipsomania.
—Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Popular since the Soviet days, Validol, a mild sedative sold over the counter, flies off the shelves in tens of millions each year.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Adjective
There were also drops in binge drinking, lower scores on alcohol use disorder tests, and reductions in both the stimulating and sedative effects of alcohol.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 Aug. 2025
The library’s encyclopedias, clear and sedative beside the Bible’s cryptic thrills, still misled; Ruth lived for decades in an alternate reality containing Zanzibar and dipsomania.
—Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
Texas began solely using pentobarbital, a sedative, for executions in 2012.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
Popular since the Soviet days, Validol, a mild sedative sold over the counter, flies off the shelves in tens of millions each year.
—Nina Khrushcheva, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Adjective
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Try these for winter gatherings, special celebrations, or simply a relaxing break from the cold.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
5 Jan. 2026
-
From navigation and communication to refrigeration and remote work, losing power on the road can quickly turn a relaxing trip into a stressful situation.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After that, three more were first shot with tranquilizer darts, identified as adults, and then euthanized.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
16 Dec. 2025
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Experts note that facilities housing primates conduct routine drills and maintain tranquilizer equipment for rare escape events such as this one.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The feds began cracking down on prescription opioid analgesics (OAs) to combat their overprescribing to people with pain issues.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
19 Dec. 2025
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Some studies suggest lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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These are the bad bathroom layouts keeping your space from feeling like a sanctuary, and designers are sharing how to switch things up for a much more soothing space.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
6 Jan. 2026
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Warm, soothing, and comforting – chicken soup is really good for the soul.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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When winter settles in and the days grow shorter, there’s something especially comforting about slowing down and staying close to home.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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This is a comforting meal that is anything but bland.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Nazism’s total domination politically and socially found an aesthetic counterpart in the visual reduction of bodies to things, ecstatically subdued before the hypnotic power of a leader, force, or sublime beauty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Plus, Palmer and Goode's oh-so-palpable chemistry conjures up a hypnotic charm that even Harkness couldn't resist.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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