sedative
Americanadjective
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tending to calm or soothe.
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allaying irritability or excitement; assuaging pain; lowering functional activity.
noun
adjective
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having a soothing or calming effect
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of or relating to sedation
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sedative
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English (adjective), from Middle French sédatif, from Medieval Latin sēdātīvus; equivalent to sedate + -ive
Explanation
A sedative is a drug that calms you down. If a patient is freaking out about getting an MRI or minor surgery, the doctor might prescribe a sedative to chill them out. A sedative is anything that makes you sedate — peaceful, calm, tranquil. In medicine this word refers to drugs that relieve anxiety or tranquilizers that pretty much knock you out. But other non-pharmaceutical things can have sedative effects, like a soothing cup of tea or a relaxing glass of wine. The tryptophan in turkey is actually a natural sedative — that's why everyone is sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner!
Vocabulary lists containing sedative
The Great Gatsby
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"The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury
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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And patients may also be given medications after an episode including a type of antihistamine, but they have sedative effects that can cause more problems, such as falls.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Emergency-room visits for vertigo commonly result in unnecessary diagnostic tests and sedative medications, potentially worsening patient outcomes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Scientists are still learning about its complex effects, which can range from stimulant to sedative and stem from chemical compounds called alkaloids.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2024
Ms Hemme was interrogated by police several times under the influence of antipsychotic medication and a powerful sedative after being involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital.
From BBC • Jul. 20, 2024
But if they had been alerted to the plan, their anxiety could have counteracted the sedative.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
