tranquilize

verb

tran·​quil·​ize ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz How to pronounce tranquilize (audio)
ˈtran-
variants or less commonly tranquillize
tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing

transitive verb

: to make tranquil or calm : pacify
especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs

intransitive verb

1
: to become tranquil : relax sense 1
2
: to make one tranquil

Examples of tranquilize in a Sentence

They tranquilized the bear with a dart so that it could be safely moved to a different area. at long last the crying baby was tranquilized by the steady rocking of her cradle
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.
According to the indictment, Barry Morphew admitted to using the BAM compound to tranquilize a deer from the breezeway of his house in April 2020. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025 For the next 24 hours, Environmental Scientist Kevin Howells worked with a team of eight to remove the 525-pound bear, according to officials. Upon assessing the crawl space and sheer size of the bear, Howells and his team determined tranquilizing the bear was not an option, officials said. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 30 Jan. 2025 The compound is used to tranquilize wildlife and, the indictment noted, that Barry Morphew has admitted using those drugs to tranquilize deer. Paul Larosa, CBS News, 3 July 2025 Police and fire crews responded alongside Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials, who tranquilized the bear with a dart. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tranquilize

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tranquilize was in 1623

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Cite this Entry

“Tranquilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquilize. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

tranquilize

verb
tran·​quil·​ize
variants also tranquillize
tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing
: to make or become tranquil or relaxed
especially : to ease the nervous tension and anxiety of usually by means of drugs

Medical Definition

tranquilize

transitive verb
tran·​quil·​ize
variants or chiefly British tranquillize or tranquillise
tranquilized or chiefly British tranquilized or tranquilised; tranquilizing or chiefly British tranquilizing or tranquilising
: to make tranquil or calm
especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs
tranquilization noun
or chiefly British tranquillization or tranquillisation

More from Merriam-Webster on tranquilize

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