tranquilize

verb

tran·​quil·​ize ˈtraŋ-kwə-ˌlīz How to pronounce tranquilize (audio)
ˈtran-
variants or less commonly tranquillize
tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing

transitive verb

: to make tranquil or calm : pacify
especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs

intransitive verb

1
: to become tranquil : relax sense 1
2
: to make one tranquil

Examples of tranquilize in a Sentence

They tranquilized the bear with a dart so that it could be safely moved to a different area. at long last the crying baby was tranquilized by the steady rocking of her cradle
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.
Game and Fish officers were summoned and, with the help of Tucson Police, darted and tranquilized the young male lion. Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2024 The lion was tranquilized about 12:30 p.m. and was taken to the regional office of Arizona Game and Fish, according to Tucson police. Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2024 Photos show a wildlife officer crawling under the building, likely to tranquilize the bear, and then show a handful of officers and deputies carrying it on a tarp. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2024 The film follows Roxanne (Berry), who reunites with her ex-boyfriend Mike (Wahlberg) at a bar and sweeps him off his feet, only to tranquilize him and transport him from New Jersey to London. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for tranquilize 

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tranquilize was in 1623

Dictionary Entries Near tranquilize

Cite this Entry

“Tranquilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquilize. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tranquilize

verb
tran·​quil·​ize
variants also tranquillize
tranquilized also tranquillized; tranquilizing also tranquillizing
: to make or become tranquil or relaxed
especially : to ease the nervous tension and anxiety of usually by means of drugs

Medical Definition

tranquilize

transitive verb
tran·​quil·​ize
variants or chiefly British tranquillize or tranquillise
tranquilized or chiefly British tranquilized or tranquilised; tranquilizing or chiefly British tranquilizing or tranquilising
: to make tranquil or calm
especially : to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs
tranquilization noun
or chiefly British tranquillization or tranquillisation

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