sedative
9 synonyms and 3 antonyms for sedative, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A drug that calms a person or induces sleep.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
downer
depressant
sedative drug
ataractic
tranquillising
tranquilising
ataraxic
tranquilizing
tranquillizing
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A drug that calms a person or induces sleep.
“The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help her sleep.”
Opposites
2. adj
Having a calming or sleep-inducing effect.
“Chamomile tea is often said to have a sedative effect.”
ataractic
tranquillising
tranquilising
ataraxic
tranquilizing
tranquillizing
Opposites
How to use sedative
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
take a sedative
sedative effect
mild sedative
Etymology
From Medieval Latin sedativus, from the same root as "sedate" — Latin sedare, "to calm."
Full origin of sedative →Frequently asked questions
What does “sedative” mean?
The word “sedative” means a drug that calms a person or induces sleep. In plain terms, something (usually a drug) that calms you down or helps you sleep.
How do you pronounce “sedative”?
“Sedative” is pronounced SEH-duh-tihv (/ˈsɛdətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “sedative” in a sentence?
Here is “sedative” used in a sentence: “The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help her sleep.”
What part of speech is “sedative”?
Depending on how it is used, “sedative” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “sedative” come from?
The word “sedative” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin sedativus, from the same root as "sedate" — Latin sedare, "to calm.".
How many meanings does “sedative” have?
“Sedative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drug that calms a person or induces sleep.
