sedate

1 of 2

adjective

se·​date si-ˈdāt How to pronounce sedate (audio)
Synonyms of sedate
: keeping a quiet steady attitude or pace : unruffled
sedately adverb
sedateness noun

sedate

2 of 2

verb

sedated; sedating

transitive verb

: to dose with sedatives

Synonyms of sedate

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Adjective

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Choose the Right Synonym for sedate

serious, grave, solemn, sedate, staid, sober, earnest mean not light or frivolous.

serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

Examples of sedate in a Sentence

Adjective We walked the beach at a sedate pace. He remained sedate under pressure. Verb The doctor sedated the patient heavily.
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.
Adjective
The talk is grave, the editing unhurried; the camera holds multiple characters in the frame and watches them from a sedate remove. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026 In its own way, the new film is a further tribute to the late Michael’s greatness as a performer, as the footage captured him giving his all — even in front of a sedate Beijing audience. — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026
Verb
Doctors had no choice but to sedate him and start chemotherapy. — Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 31 July 2026 He was intubated and on a ventilator, receiving medications to sedate him. — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sedate

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin sedatus, from past participle of sedare to calm; akin to sedēre to sit — more at sit

Verb

back-formation from sedative

First Known Use

Adjective

1693, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sedate was in 1693

Rhymes for sedate

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Browse Nearby Words

sedan limousine
sedate
sedated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sedate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sedate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sedate

adjective
se·​date
si-ˈdāt
: quiet in manner or conduct : staid, sober
sedately adverb
sedateness noun

Medical Definition

sedate

transitive verb
se·​date si-ˈdāt How to pronounce sedate (audio)
sedated; sedating
: to dose with sedatives
the patient was sedated before the procedure

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