: a sedative agent or drug
Synonyms
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
Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
The population is impatient and the sedative effect of the impeachment process will soon wear off, which could mean new protests and instability if there are no significant changes in the short term.
—Moisés Costa, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2016
Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Withdrawing or withholding care, or using strong sedatives that advance death, are regarded as legally distinct, if ending life is not the main aim.
—The Week, theweek, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sedative 
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Adjective
In any case, chamomile flowers—which look like adorable, tiny daisies—contain flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins which certainly have mildly sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
The population is impatient and the sedative effect of the impeachment process will soon wear off, which could mean new protests and instability if there are no significant changes in the short term.
—Moisés Costa, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2016
Noun
Once known by nicknames like laughing gas and hippy crack, the inhalant nitrous oxide — a sedative commonly used by healthcare providers — is getting attention online.
—Rachel Hale, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Withdrawing or withholding care, or using strong sedatives that advance death, are regarded as legally distinct, if ending life is not the main aim.
—The Week, theweek, 10 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sedative
Dictionary Entries Near sedative
Cite this Entry
“Sedative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedative. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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.
Linda C. Haynes et al.sedative
2 of 2 noun
: a sedative agent or drug
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