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
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
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for 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
Chloral hydrate, a sedative, is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia and to relieve anxiety and induce sleep before surgery.
—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Adjective
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Ahead are 12 items to never bring on a flight, along with smart swaps that will make your next trip smoother, easier, and far more relaxing.
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These zero-gravity lounge chairs can help turn an ordinary patio, deck, or backyard into a relaxing retreat.
Noun
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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.
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When Krem takes off in Kara’s spacecraft, a rusted hulk that’s like an interplanetary RV, and shoots her beloved dog Krypto with a lethal tranquilizer that will result in agonizing death in three days, Kara joins Ruthye on her revenge quest.
Adjective
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Seapuri's Scalpy Bubble Tonic is a lightweight foam that delivers a cooling burst of relief thanks to a soothing blend of cica, panthenol, and menthol, while salicylic acid helps dissolve excess oil, flakes, and residue that can leave the scalp feeling congested.
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The sight of the lumbering actor wearing track clothes and sitting cross-legged while listening to a soothing relaxation tape on headphones is priceless.
Noun
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Across all participants, 81% reduced their use of oral analgesics, and the suppository was well-tolerated, with most participants willing to use it again.
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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.
Adjective
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Easier than tomato pie, this drop biscuit-style savory cobbler makes a comforting summer supper.
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So much for the comforting assumption that someone official is keeping a careful tally of the loans inside your fund.
Adjective
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There’s something hypnotic and ritualistic in it, something that can become almost shamanic, almost therapeutic — like a sound bath.
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Instrumental rock music of the kind Horse Lords make—hypnotic, hyper-focused, complex—usually carries a whiff of manifesto, offering a map toward transcendence of some political, metaphysical, or pick-your-variety kind.
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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