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
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The complaint claims that the crew members, at the request of the staff captain, gave Virgil an injection of the sedative haloperidol and used multiple cans of pepper spray on him.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Well, what if, instead of reassurance and possibly a sedative, the answer came on four legs?
—Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Adjective
Security and crew members allegedly tackled and restrained the man while injecting him with the sedative Haloperidol and using three cans of pepper spray.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025
The complaint claims that the crew members, at the request of the staff captain, gave Virgil an injection of the sedative haloperidol and used multiple cans of pepper spray on him.
—Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
Noun
Authorities also alleged McGuire forged a prescription for chloral hydrate, a sedative, using the name of a fertility clinic patient.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Well, what if, instead of reassurance and possibly a sedative, the answer came on four legs?
—Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Adjective
-
This property in Madrid feels especially homey and relaxing, with its garden, tearoom, and period furniture.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Boasting panoramic views of the water, beachfront dining, and a spa so relaxing as to be borderline lobotomizing, the hotel offers a stock photo of a vacation.—
Mattie Kahn,
Vogue,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to court records, a powerful animal tranquilizer known as BAM — a combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine — was found in her bone marrow.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Those selling the drugs are replacing them with a less lethal, but very strong tranquilizer, called medetomidine, which results in severe withdrawal symptoms.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Microorganisms in thermal mud produce a variety of compounds with therapeutic properties, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics, the study found.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Turmeric may have effects similar to those of analgesics, medicines used to relieve pain.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rooms Stepping into a room at The Berkeley feels like the first sip of its famed afternoon tea—calming, refreshing, and instantly soothing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The formula pairs propolis—known for its soothing, glow-boosting properties—with niacinamide, which helps support the skin barrier, calm visible redness, and bring out that soft, lit-from-within radiance.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If All Creatures Great and Small is our cozy and comforting show in this unending hellscape, The Forsytes can be our escapist junk food.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Of course, formulaic crime dramas can be comforting.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The melodic closer had the huge crowd energized and swaying along, as the nearly 50-foot stage, fully adorned in LED lights, beamed hypnotic celestial imagery in neon blue.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Eric Magnuson’s fair gripe in The Atlantic last week pointed me to this hypnotic novella from one of our best fever dreamers.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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