Sedative

usgb/ˈsedətɪv/
noun

A drug taken to calm nerves or to help you sleep.

Her doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help her sleep.
Visual representation of "sedative" - A drug taken to calm nerves or to help you sleep.

Often appears as...

  • take a sedative
  • prescribed a sedative

Usage tips

Medical

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "sedative"
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Medical Context

‘Sedative’ is often used in medical settings to describe specific medications.

Illustration for Medical Context
The patient was given a sedative before the procedure.
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Not Always Drugs

While usually drugs, 'sedative' can refer to any calming substance or activity.

Illustration for Not Always Drugs
Listening to classical music can be a natural sedative.
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Avoid Dependency

Use 'sedative' with care to imply that dependency on it for sleep or calm is risky.

Illustration for Avoid Dependency
She became reliant on the sedative to fall asleep.
Visual representation of the word "Sedative"

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