Tranquilizer: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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