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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tranquilizer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sedative
Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023
Kratom alkaloids stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects that range from sedative-like and calming to energizing and euphoric.
—Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2023
Alex Sundby, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is used as a sedative in medicine.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Adjective
Her attorney also listed buspirone (an antianxiety drug), hydroxyzine (an antihistamine that is traditionally used for anxiety or insomina), and Ambien (a sedative-hypnotic).
—Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023
Kratom alkaloids stimulate the opioid receptors in the brain, producing effects that range from sedative-like and calming to energizing and euphoric.
—Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2023
Noun
Super Bowl reporter found dead had sedative in his system, police say
Wife of powerful cartel boss wanted by U.S. is released from prison
In:
New Mexico
Death
Gene Hackman
Alex Sundby
Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com.
—Alex Sundby, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is used as a sedative in medicine.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Noun
-
The Who played there in 1973, although during the concert, drummer Keith Moon passed out after reportedly taking horse tranquilizers.—
Daniel Brown,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Parker Posey is especially good as a homemaker, Violet Ratliff, who arrives with a cache of tranquilizers—these are soon being pilfered and swallowed by her husband, Timothy (Jason Isaacs), a businessman about to be exposed for fraud.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Known for its soothing properties, the star ingredient, centella asiatica is great for those with rosacea to strengthen the skin barrier.—
Rosa Jisoo Pyo,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
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The moisturizing strip heats up, providing soothing warmth, much in the same way a hot towel softens the skin.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Participants who’d been issued at least two acetaminophen prescriptions within six months – and not in combination with other analgesics like codeine – were defined as exposed to acetaminophen.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Dec. 2024
-
Importantly, the medication is not an opioid, which means that medical professionals now have an alternative to treating acute pain that doesn’t require using a potentially addictive analgesic.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
30 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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