tranquilizer

American  

[trang-kwuh-lahy-zer] / ˈtræŋ kwəˌlaɪ zər /

Or tranquillizer

noun

1. a person or thing that tranquilizes.

2. a drug that has a sedative or calming effect without inducing sleep.

3. antianxiety drug.

4. antipsychotic.

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Etymology

Origin of tranquilizer

First recorded in 1790–1800; tranquilize + -er ¹

Explanation

A medication that's used to relax patients is called a tranquilizer. If someone suffers from severe anxiety, their doctor might prescribe a tranquilizer. The word tranquilizer is commonly used for anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic drugs, but it's not the term most medical professionals use. They are much more likely to use sedative, neuroleptic, or anxiolytic for a calming medication. Tranquilizer, from tranquility or "the state of being calm," was first used for sedatives in 1824, and for anti-anxiety drugs in 1954.

Example Sentences

Zadeh said the cat eventually came to rest in the 2500 block of Pheasant Hill Road, where a second tranquilizer dart was shot, and this one hit its mark.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

The bear fell asleep for hours after being shot with tranquilizer darts, then fell out of the tree and landed on a mattress — a soft landing that was supplied by Walter.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2024

It's called xylazine, a commonly-used animal tranquilizer veterinarians routinely employ in their practice.

From Salon • Dec. 20, 2023

After being treated with a tranquilizer and an anti-inflammatory, the colt didn’t improve and went to the hospital.

From Washington Times • Aug. 21, 2023

Where Martina Crowe had been, Milligan now stood with his tranquilizer gun.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

Related Words

• opiate
• sedative