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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sedative
Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Unlike a sedative, lemborexant is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that blocks the function of orexin, a neurotransmitter that regulates and promotes wakefulness.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 1 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Adjective
Witnesses could hear prison officials asking for the first dose of the powerful sedative pentobarbital, which was different from previous executions.
—Arkansas Online, 14 June 2025
Unlike a sedative, lemborexant is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that blocks the function of orexin, a neurotransmitter that regulates and promotes wakefulness.
—Bronwyn Thompson, New Atlas, 1 June 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for sedative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedative
Noun
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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
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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
Adjective
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But beneath their soothing prompts lie important questions: How effective are these tools?—
Pooja Shree Chettiar,
The Conversation,
10 July 2025
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In tea form, turmeric and garlic create a soothing, nutrient-rich herbal tonic.—
Chelsea Rae Bourgeois,
Health,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Turmeric may have similar effects to analgesics, medicines used to relieve pain.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2025
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Not to mention, future science could also lead to an entirely different analgesic that functions better and with fewer downsides, Dr. Espey points out.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedative. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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