tranquillize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Medical
Quick answer
What does “tranquillize” mean?
To make a person or animal calm, sedated, or unconscious, typically by administering a drug.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make a person or animal calm, sedated, or unconscious, typically by administering a drug.
To induce a state of calmness or stillness; to soothe or pacify.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The British spelling is 'tranquillize' (double L), while the American spelling is 'tranquilize' (single L). The British variant is less common than 'sedate' in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries a clinical, procedural connotation. Often implies an external agent (e.g., a doctor, vet) acting upon a subject.
Frequency
The word is rare in everyday speech in both varieties, being largely confined to specialized contexts. The British spelling is increasingly rare even in the UK, with 'sedate' being strongly preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “tranquillize” in a Sentence
[Agent] tranquillized [Patient] (with [Instrument])[Patient] was tranquillizedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tranquillize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vet had to tranquillise the distressed elephant before treating its wound.
- Police were authorised to tranquillise the suspect if he became violent.
American English
- The wildlife team will tranquilize the bear for tagging and relocation.
- The patient was tranquilized before the minor surgical procedure.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard; the adverb is 'tranquilly'.]
American English
- [Not standard; the adverb is 'tranquilly'.]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard; the adjective is 'tranquil' or 'tranquillising'.]
American English
- [Not standard; the adjective is 'tranquil' or 'tranquilizing'.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, veterinary, and biological research papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare; 'sedate' or 'calm down' are used instead.
Technical
The standard term in veterinary medicine and wildlife management for administering sedatives, often via dart.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tranquillize”
- Using it as a synonym for 'relax' in casual contexts (e.g., 'I tranquillized after work').
- Misspelling: 'tranquilize' (US) vs. 'tranquillize' (UK).
- Incorrect object: 'tranquillize a situation' (use 'calm' or 'defuse').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are largely synonymous in medical contexts. 'Sedate' is more common in all varieties of English. 'Tranquillize' is more often used in veterinary or wildlife contexts.
No, it is not used for natural emotional soothing. It specifically implies inducing calmness through an external agent, usually a drug. Using it figuratively for emotions sounds odd or overly clinical.
British English uses a double 'l': tranquillize (cf. tranquillity). American English uses a single 'l': tranquilize (cf. tranquility).
The process is 'tranquillization' (UK) / 'tranquilization' (US). The agent is a 'tranquillizer' (UK) / 'tranquilizer' (US), which is a type of sedative drug.
To make a person or animal calm, sedated, or unconscious, typically by administering a drug.
Tranquillize is usually formal/medical in register.
Tranquillize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtræŋ.kwɪ.laɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtræŋ.kwə.laɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this verb]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TRANQUIL' + 'IZE' -> to MAKE tranquil. Double L in British spelling follows the pattern of 'tranquillity'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CALMNESS IS A FORCED STATE (When referring to the act of drugging).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'tranquillize' most appropriately used?