Guest

sedative

/ˈsɛdətɪv/ · sed·a·tive
noun
  1. An agent or drug that sedates, having a calming or soothing effect, or inducing sleep. She took a sedative to help her fall asleep after a long day.
  2. A substance that calms or soothes the mind or body. The sedative properties of the herbal tea helped her relax during the stressful exam period.
adjective
  1. Calming or soothing, inducing sleep, or tranquilizing. The sedative effect of the music helped her drift off to sleep.
Did you know? The term 'sedative' is often used interchangeably with 'tranquilizer', but while both refer to calming agents, 'tranquilizer' typically implies a more intense or powerful effect.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 3 lookups Added Aug 9, 2026