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
Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet, unlike cortisol, oxytocin will have an effect on your body akin to that of a sedative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 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
At higher doses, kratom can be used as a sedative and potentially cause psychosis.
—Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
Yet, unlike cortisol, oxytocin will have an effect on your body akin to that of a sedative.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Adjective
-
Entering a bedroom that’s painted a light blue color feels soothing and relaxing; a bathroom that’s a soft shade of green is pleasant to bathe in.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Looking for a relaxing way to escape the winter blues?—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
After ambushing Fuller at her mansion, Teddy and his accomplice/cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) knock her unconscious with a tranquilizer and load her into the backseat of her own car.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
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After that incident, the department changed its approach and shot the remaining three adults with tranquilizer darts rather than a firearm, then euthanized them on the ground with injections of the type a sick animal might receive when being put to sleep by a veterinarian.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tylenol falls under the umbrella of two other medication classes: analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers), says Dr. Anureet Walia, a pain management specialist with UI Health Care.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For an accent, consider introducing a deep blue shade to provide a soothing contrast.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The soothing, antioxidant-rich formula offers enough coverage that it can be used in lieu of a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation.—
Emily Orofino,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether for the potluck, the cookout, or a Wednesday night dinner with your family, these Southern side dishes are comforting, easy, and crowd-pleasing.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
-
In those cases, soft lighting, quiet music, or a comforting scent can make the space feel safer.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Balle’s prose—repetitive, hypnotic, and as balanced as a small plane—sustains an atmosphere of illuminated ordinariness.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
-
While romance is built into the Gothic nature of the tale, the erotic appeal of Frankenstein is not as obvious as that of Dracula, with his hypnotic stare and eternal devotion.—
Katie Rife,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
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