tranquilize

or tran·quil·lize

[ trang-kwuh-lahyz ]

verb (used with or without object)

, tran·quil·ized, tran·quil·iz·ing.

1. to make or become tranquil.

Other Words From

• tranquil·i·zation noun
• un·tranquil·ize verb (used with object) untranquilized untranquilizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of tranquilize¹

First recorded in 1615–25; tranquil + -ize

Example Sentences

Fire and rescue officials used a ladder truck to get close to and tranquilize the bear.

From Seattle Times

It would be safer for the cat to tuck himself into the trees and grassy space of the park — and wait for the National Park Service biologists to find and tranquilize him to take biological samples for genetics testing and slip a GPS collar onto his neck so we can remotely roam with him.

From Los Angeles Times

A cocktail of drugs that are commonly used to tranquilize wildlife was found in one of the 49-year-old woman’s bones but there was no indication of trauma, the report said.

From Seattle Times

An attorney for Barry Morphew and his two adult daughters said Monday that his dart gun to tranquilize wildlife was not working when his wife disappeared, and that he did not possess the tranquilizer that’s used in the darts.

From Seattle Times

She searched online and was stunned to read it’s used to tranquilize horses.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• sedate