sedative

1 of 2

adjective

sed·​a·​tive ˈse-də-tiv 

: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement

sedative

2 of 2

noun

: a sedative agent or drug

Synonyms of sedative

Adjective

• relaxing
• tranquilizing
• soothing
• comforting
• hypnotic

Examples of sedative in a Sentence

Adjective

some people find a glass of wine to be a civilized and sedative addition to an evening meal

Noun

The patient was given a powerful sedative.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The complaint says that at the direction of the staff captain, the crew injected him with the sedative Haloperidol and used three cans of pepper spray. —Greg Wehner , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 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

Mixing melatonin with sedatives can increase drowsiness. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2025

Florida’s lethal injections use a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections. —Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, alleviating pain, from Middle French sedatif, from Medieval Latin sedativus, from Latin sedatus

First Known Use

Adjective

1779, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1797, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sedative

1 of 2 adjective

sed·​a·​tive ˈsed-ət-iv 

: tending to calm or to ease tension

sedative

2 of 2 noun

: a sedative medicine

Medical Definition

sedative

1 of 2 adjective

sed·​a·​tive ˈsed-ət-iv 

: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement

sedative effects of anesthetics and analgesics

—Linda C. Haynes et al.

sedative

2 of 2 noun

: a sedative agent or drug