tranquilizer

noun

tran·​quil·​iz·​er ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce tranquilizer (audio)
ˈtran-
variants or less commonly tranquillizer
Synonyms of tranquilizernext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brunson’s video captured the kangaroo moving slowly on a hill by the highway moments after it was shot with a tranquilizer. — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025 The sheriff said the kangaroo was shot twice with the tranquilizer before responders could get their hands on it. — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025 She was charged for intentionally distributing a drug called Tranq — a mix of Fentanyl and the animal tranquilizer Xylazine. — Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025 The drug, which is commonly used as a tranquilizer for large animals in veterinary medicine, causes extreme sedation, slow breathing and skin ulcers when ingested by humans. — Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tranquilizer

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of tranquilizer was in 1800

Rhymes for tranquilizer

See All Rhymes for tranquilizer

Browse Nearby Words

tranquilize
tranquilizer
tranquillo
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tranquilizer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquilizer. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

tranquilizer

noun
tran·​quil·​iz·​er
variants also tranquillizer
ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce tranquilizer (audio)
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 How to pronounce tranquilizer (audio)
: a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (as anxiety and tension) see antipsychotic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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