tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce tranquilizer (audio)
ˈtran-
variants or less commonly tranquillizer
1
: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (such as anxiety and tension) compare antipsychotic
2
: one that tranquilizes

Examples of tranquilizer in a Sentence

a patient who is on tranquilizers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She was charged for intentionally distributing a drug called Tranq — a mix of Fentanyl and the animal tranquilizer Xylazine. Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025 The drug, which is commonly used as a tranquilizer for large animals in veterinary medicine, causes extreme sedation, slow breathing and skin ulcers when ingested by humans. Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025 Buzbee also said that many of his clients claim Puff used horse tranquilizers to sedate them. Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 2 Oct. 2024 According to the municipal code, tranquilizers can be used as a means of capture. Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tranquilizer

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tranquilizer was in 1800

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tranquilizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquilizer. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

tranquilizer

noun
tran·​quil·​iz·​er
variants also tranquillizer
: one that tranquilizes
especially : a drug used to reduce anxiety and nervous tension

Medical Definition

tranquilizer

noun
tran·​quil·​iz·​er
variants or chiefly British tranquillizer or tranquilliser
: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (as anxiety and tension) see antipsychotic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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