tranquilizer
To make a person or animal calm, sleepy, or unconscious by administering a medical drug. It is a transitive verb typically used in medical, veterinary, or high-stress situations to manage agitation or physical pain.
Examples
3 of 5The vet had to tranquilize the dog to remove the splinter safely from its paw.
The veterinarian gave the dog medicine to sleep so he could fix its injury.
It is standard procedure to tranquilize large mammals before they are transported to the sanctuary.
It is a normal requirement to sedate big animals before moving them to a new home.
That three-hour documentary was enough to tranquilize a caffeinated toddler.
That very long movie was so boring it could make even a hyperactive child fall asleep.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Combine 'Tranquil' (calm) and 'ize' (to make). Think of a 'tranquil' lake and 'making' a wild animal as still as that water.
Quick Quiz
The wildlife experts had to ______ the elephant to move it away from the local village safely.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tranquilize
Examples
The vet had to tranquilize the dog to remove the splinter safely from its paw.
everydayThe veterinarian gave the dog medicine to sleep so he could fix its injury.
It is standard procedure to tranquilize large mammals before they are transported to the sanctuary.
formalIt is a normal requirement to sedate big animals before moving them to a new home.
That three-hour documentary was enough to tranquilize a caffeinated toddler.
informalThat very long movie was so boring it could make even a hyperactive child fall asleep.
Researchers must often tranquilize specimens to ensure accurate physiological data collection without stress interference.
academicScientists frequently need to sedate subjects to gather correct bodily information without the effects of stress.
The board attempted to tranquilize the shareholders' fears by announcing a surprise dividend.
businessThe company leaders tried to calm the investors' worries by promising them extra money.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
tranquilize the masses
to keep the general public calm and unresisting
tranquilize the nerves
to ease someone's intense anxiety or jitteriness
tranquilize a situation
to bring peace or order back to a chaotic event
Often Confused With
Tranquilizer is the noun (the drug or device), while tranquilize is the action (the verb).
Tranquility is the noun describing the state of being peaceful, not the act of making someone peaceful.
Usage Notes
In British English, the word is typically spelled with a double 'l' (tranquillize). It usually implies a chemical or medical intervention rather than a psychological one.
Common Mistakes
Do not use 'tranquilize' to describe simply relaxing on vacation; it specifically refers to the act of using a substance to induce a state of calm.
Memory Tip
Combine 'Tranquil' (calm) and 'ize' (to make). Think of a 'tranquil' lake and 'making' a wild animal as still as that water.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'tranquillus' meaning quiet or calm, combined with the Greek-derived suffix '-ize' meaning to make or become.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The word is frequently associated with wildlife conservation documentaries where scientists use tranquilizer guns to tag or treat wild animals.
Quick Quiz
The wildlife experts had to ______ the elephant to move it away from the local village safely.
Correct!
The correct answer is: tranquilize
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