truth serum

[ trooth seer-uhm ]

noun

1. a drug, as the barbiturate thiopental, that induces in the subject a desire to talk or a state of heightened suggestibility, used in psychotherapy and in interrogation to discover repressed or consciously withheld information.

Word History and Origins

Origin of truth serum¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

FOIA documents reveal that the CIA saw LSD as a potential, “truth serum.”

From The Daily Beast

Its potential use as a truth serum would also become a cautionary tale.

From The Daily Beast

The discussion of the role of truth serum in the American judicial system is a worthy one.

From The Daily Beast

As judge has approved the use of truth serum if the alleged Batman shooter attempts an insanity defense.

From The Daily Beast

What, then, was the truth that the truth serum was seeking to impel?

From The Daily Beast

The flood of force pouring through my head was more effective than any truth serum.

From Project Gutenberg

Now Mr. Warren, I don't know if you got any confidence in the lie detector test and the truth serum, and so on.

From Project Gutenberg

Because as it stands now—and the truth serum, and any other—Pentothal—how do you pronounce it, whatever it is.

From Project Gutenberg

What sort of talents and abilities did he possess, that he could react thus to a truth-serum?

From Project Gutenberg

So the doctors gave him truth-serum so he would not try to conceal anything from them.

From Project Gutenberg