TRANQUILIZE Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

tranquilize

verb

ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz

variants also tranquillize

Definition of tranquilize

as in to calm

to free from distress or disturbance at long last the crying baby was tranquilized by the steady rocking of her cradle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of tranquilize And speaking of going to bed, Stevie’s purse was also allegedly full of tranquilizing pills like Quaaludes to help her catch a few hours’ sleep before the circus started again. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026 There are also frequent mountain lion sightings in and around Los Angeles, including recent incidents in Santa Monica and Pasadena where lions were tranquilized and removed. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Many bears that visit populated areas are tranquilized and moved out of town. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026 Jean manages to break into the secret vault, but she’s tranquilized and apprehended by Tramell Tillman’s Damage Control CEO Bill Metzger. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tranquilize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tranquilize

Verb

Many longtime residents have developed habits to calm their minds during these exceptional conditions — meditation, a dip in the ocean to trigger the calming mammalian dive response, support groups to talk through the pain.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Winds are expected to calm Friday evening, and skies will clear.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of calm

Verb

On top of that, the plugs offer passive isolation (the seal of the bud) and adaptive sound masking (soothing audio tracks that help cover up your beloved’s snoring).

— Jessica Sager, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The restaurant on the ground floor features red brick arches, midcentury sconces and a soothing interior with plush beige armchairs and warm wood accents.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

The jury is composed of Cristina Cassano, head of Contemporary Italian Cinema Promotion at Cinecittà, filmmaker Sofia Exarchou and Anne Østerud, a film editor.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The fact that more military-age men are disproportionately among those eliminated is consistent with the fact that terrorist organizations are predominantly composed of men in this age group.

— Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of compose

Browse Nearby Words

tranquility

tranquilize

tranquilized

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tranquilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tranquilize. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of tranquilize

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes