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
Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
All Florida executions are carried out by injecting a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Adjective
Prescription medicines used to treat anxiety, including benzodiazepines, are also flagged due to their sedative effects.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection if a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
—Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
All Florida executions are carried out by injecting a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
—David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Adjective
-
Scape Park has exciting outdoor activities and points of interests to explore, such as zip lines, cenotes, and caverns, while El Dorado Water Park is the epitome of aquatic fun with more than 20 attractions, from high-speed slides to a relaxing wave pool, ideal for the whole family.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
-
Long flights feel noticeably more relaxing with somewhere to prop up tired feet.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
On Tuesday afternoon, the bear was found on a private property and shot by a veterinarian with a tranquilizer gun, city official Ryuhei Irie said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 June 2026
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There are sedatives such as xylazine, street-named Tranq, an animal tranquilizer that can cause fleshrotting skin lesions and is frequently mixed with fentanyl.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Add to that the soothing rhythm of a cozy train rocking along its tracks, and everyday stresses start to melt away.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
The second is a soothing post-shave lotion that hydrates for up to 24 hours.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
Nestlé's take pairs notes of vanilla and brown butter flavor with milk chocolate morsels for a chocolate chip cookie that's even more comforting.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 June 2026
-
Bereaved individuals have often told me that hearing other people’s memories of the person who died can be deeply comforting.—
Julie Kaplow,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hair follicle testing confirmed exposure to sedative-hypnotic drugs, but surveillance footage was destroyed after the hotel’s 30-day retention period elapsed before her preservation request could be honored.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 June 2026
-
His sustained concentration throughout the 70-minute performance was hypnotic.—
Thomas Rom,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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