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Tranquilizer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜Œ
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tranquilizer

[หˆtrรฆล‹kwษ™หŒlaษชzษ™r ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

medical

A drug that reduces anxiety, tension, and irritability. It calms a person's emotions and helps them relax.

Synonyms

anxiolytic, calming agent, sedative.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tranquilizer

Used in medical contexts to describe a drug that helps to calm or sedate, usually in a stronger capacity compared to sedatives.

  • The doctor prescribed a tranquilizer to help manage her severe anxiety.
  • The tranquilizer dart was used to safely capture the wild animal.
sedative

Often used in both medical and general settings to describe substances that induce sleep or a very relaxed state; can imply a more intense effect than calming agents.

  • The doctor gave her a sedative before the surgery.
  • Night-time cold medications often contain sedatives.
calming agent

A general and less technical term, useful for everyday conversation about substances or techniques that help relax or reduce stress.

  • Chamomile tea is a natural calming agent.
  • Listening to soft music acts as a calming agent for many people.
anxiolytic

Commonly found in medical and psychological settings, referring specifically to medications that relieve anxiety symptoms.

  • He was given an anxiolytic to help with his panic attacks.
  • Anxiolytic medications can significantly improve quality of life for patients with anxiety disorders.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor prescribed a tranquilizer to help me sleep better.
  • She took a tranquilizer before the flight to help with her fear of flying.
Context #2 | Noun

zoology

A substance that can immobilize or sedate an animal, often used for capturing or handling wildlife.

Synonyms

immobilizing agent, sedative, tranquillizer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tranquilizer

Refers to a drug that calms or sedates a person, primarily used to reduce anxiety or agitation. Commonly used in medical or mental health contexts.

  • The doctor prescribed a tranquilizer to help ease her anxiety
sedative

A general term for a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement. Used in both medical and everyday contexts to calm someone down.

  • She was given a sedative before undergoing the dental procedure
tranquillizer

Another spelling of 'tranquilizer', more commonly used in British English with the same meaning as 'tranquilizer'.

  • The patient was administered a tranquillizer before the MRI scan
immobilizing agent

Often used in both medical and veterinary contexts to temporarily paralyze a person or animal, usually for a procedure or during surgery.

  • The veterinarian used an immobilizing agent on the horse before the surgery

Examples of usage

  • The tranquilizer dart hit the lion, causing it to fall asleep.
  • The wildlife team used a tranquilizer to safely transport the bear back to the forest.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History of Use

  • In the 1950s, the first tranquilizers were prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, changing mental health treatment.
  • Animals, especially in veterinary medicine, are sometimes given tranquilizers to help with stress during procedures.

Science

  • These medications work by influencing neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps reduce brain activity.
  • Not all tranquilizers are the same; some are classified as major tranquilizers (antipsychotics) while others are minor (anxiolytics) used mostly for anxiety.

Pop Culture

  • In films and television, tranquilizers are often depicted as a quick way to handle chaotic situations, sometimes humorously when characters fall asleep suddenly.
  • Several popular songs reference the need for calmness or escape, alluding to the effects of tranquilizers without explicitly mentioning them.

Psychology

  • Therapists might use tranquilizers to help in extreme cases of anxiety or panic attacks, aiming for a balanced mental state.
  • Thereโ€™s a discussion on the ethical use of tranquilizers, especially in managing patient care without dependency.

Origin of 'tranquilizer'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'tranquillus', meaning calm or peaceful.
  • Initially used in the mid-20th century, it first described medications that help relax the mind.

The word 'tranquilizer' originated in the mid-20th century as a combination of 'tranquil' and '-izer' (from 'ize,' used to form names of drugs). The concept of tranquilizing substances has been used in medical and zoological contexts to help calm emotions or immobilize animals for various purposes.

See also: tranquility, tranquilize, tranquilizing, tranquillization, tranquillizer, tranquilly.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,763 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.