sedate

1 of 2

adjective

se·​date si-ˈdāt 

: keeping a quiet steady attitude or pace : unruffled

sedately adverb

sedateness noun

sedate

2 of 2

verb

sedated; sedating

transitive verb

: to dose with sedatives

Synonyms of sedate

Adjective

• solemn
• serious
• stern

Choose the Right Synonym for sedate

serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous.

serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

Examples of sedate in a Sentence

Adjective

We walked the beach at a sedate pace.

He remained sedate under pressure.

Verb

The doctor sedated the patient heavily.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The talk is grave, the editing unhurried; the camera holds multiple characters in the frame and watches them from a sedate remove. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026

In its own way, the new film is a further tribute to the late Michael’s greatness as a performer, as the footage captured him giving his all — even in front of a sedate Beijing audience. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Verb

Though he’s never been drugged with scopolamine, he was sedated with benzodiazepines and robbed several years ago, and has devoted much of his channel to warning tourists about the risks. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

After the investigation, an officer went to an area hospital where Campos-Sanchez was sedated and unable to be interviewed, the document states. — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin sedatus, from past participle of sedare to calm; akin to sedēre to sit — more at sit

Verb

back-formation from sedative

First Known Use

Adjective

1693, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sedate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

sedate

adjective

se·​date

si-ˈdāt

: quiet in manner or conduct : staid, sober

sedately adverb

sedateness noun

Medical Definition

sedate

transitive verb

se·​date si-ˈdāt 

sedated; sedating

: to dose with sedatives

the patient was sedated before the procedure