tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər 

ˈtran-

variants or less commonly tranquillizer

1

: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (such as anxiety and tension) compare antipsychotic

2

: one that tranquilizes

Examples of tranquilizer in a Sentence

a patient who is on tranquilizers

Recent Examples on the Web

The tranquilizer is often found in opioid cocktails, and Narcan would have an effect on the opioid component. —Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 7 June 2024

But in 2023, the tranquilizer was the culprit in seven deaths, a number not seen in six years. —José Luis Martínez, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2024

Crews would deploy culvert traps or, where feasible, shoot tranquilizers from helicopters to capture the bears. —Benjamin Cassidy, Scientific American, 14 May 2024

The three drugs are typically used together in wildlife tranquilizers. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er

variants also tranquillizer

ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər 

ˈtran-

: one that tranquilizes

especially : a drug used to reduce anxiety and nervous tension

Medical Definition

tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er

variants or chiefly British tranquillizer or tranquilliser

-ˌlī-zər 

: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (as anxiety and tension) see antipsychotic