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
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
-
Sometimes, short-acting tranquilizers can help, but some of these same medicines can also cause sleepwalking.18 When sleepwalking is related to an underlying disorder or medication, treating that condition or switching medications may help.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Where to watch: Prime Video, Peacock Classical Baby For a more soothing musical option, try HBO’s ‘90s show Classical Baby.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Speaking of Nancy Meyers and Steve Martin, there’s probably nothing more soothing than watching Meryl Streep cook in a gorgeous Santa Barbara kitchen.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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 16 Apr. 2025.
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