sedative

1 of 2

adjective

sed·​a·​tive ˈse-də-tiv 

: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement

sedative

2 of 2

noun

: a sedative agent or drug

Synonyms of sedative

Adjective

• relaxing
• tranquilizing
• soothing
• comforting
• hypnotic

Examples of sedative in a Sentence

Adjective

some people find a glass of wine to be a civilized and sedative addition to an evening meal

Noun

The patient was given a powerful sedative.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As the lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital began flowing, Ramey took a deep breath, sputtered and began snoring. — Michael Graczyk, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

Her pencil produced a soft scrubbing sound, filling the room with a sedative rhythm. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Noun

Pike, 50, who was sentenced to death for a 1995 murder, was administered two doses of just one drug, pentobarbital, a sedative. — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

When Riechmann's mother was pregnant with her in the early 1960s, the doctor gave her a new sedative to help with her nausea. — Tana Weingartner, NPR, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, alleviating pain, from Middle French sedatif, from Medieval Latin sedativus, from Latin sedatus

First Known Use

Adjective

1779, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1797, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

sedative

1 of 2 adjective

sed·​a·​tive ˈsed-ət-iv 

: tending to calm or to ease tension

sedative

2 of 2 noun

: a sedative medicine

Medical Definition

sedative

1 of 2 adjective

sed·​a·​tive ˈsed-ət-iv 

: tending to calm, moderate, or tranquilize nervousness or excitement

sedative effects of anesthetics and analgesics

—Linda C. Haynes et al.

sedative

2 of 2 noun

: a sedative agent or drug