sedate 1 of 2

Definition of sedatenext
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sedate

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sedate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sedate are earnest, grave, serious, sober, solemn, and staid. While all these words mean "not light or frivolous," sedate implies a composed and decorous seriousness.

remained sedate amid the commotion

When might earnest be a better fit than sedate?

While in some cases nearly identical to sedate, earnest suggests sincerity or often zealousness of purpose.

an earnest reformer

In what contexts can grave take the place of sedate?

The words grave and sedate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grave implies both seriousness and dignity in expression or attitude.

read the proclamation in a grave voice

Where would serious be a reasonable alternative to sedate?

The synonyms serious and sedate are sometimes interchangeable, but serious implies a concern for what really matters.

a serious play about social injustice

When could sober be used to replace sedate?

In some situations, the words sober and sedate are roughly equivalent. However, sober stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity.

a sober look at the state of our schools

When would solemn be a good substitute for sedate?

The meanings of solemn and sedate largely overlap; however, solemn suggests an impressive gravity utterly free from levity.

a sad and solemn occasion

When is staid a more appropriate choice than sedate?

While the synonyms staid and sedate are close in meaning, staid suggests a settled, accustomed sedateness and prim self-restraint.

a quiet and staid community

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 sedate
Adjective
And the Bachman House, a Chicago Landmark since 1992, is a relatively sedate work within Goff’s oeuvre. Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026 Shore Excursions Excursions offered at each port were mostly sedate—a boat-and-coach combo, a journey on the steep Flam Railway, and chocolate-making lessons were all on offer. Jane Archer, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Verb
Hayward police and Falck paramedics allegedly failed over and over again while confronting — and later chemically sedating — a local Marine veteran who died in their custody earlier this year, according to a lawsuit filed by the man’s family. Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2025 Shaheed’s 100-yard kickoff return Sunday made Atlanta Falcons defenders look sedated. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sedate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sedate
Adjective
  • Although there will be a couple of weeks of sports competitions to come, none are possible without an opening ceremony, a combination of solemn official protocol with a fantastic representation of the host country’s culture and character, evoking the Olympic spirit itself.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The show looks glamorous — custom design, lush staging, a format that nods to late-night talk shows rather than solemn panels.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But Vonn, whose injury history is almost as long as her résumé, looked calm during training, coach Aksel Lund Svindal said Saturday.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
  • In court, Mickey grasps at straws, trying to clear his name, and in jail, the usually calm, cool and collected attorney is struggling to stay sane.
    Pamela Avila, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Most are unable to rise above the stylistic miasma of the production — Whitehead sounds narcotized even when Pip isn’t on drugs — or the entirely new words they’ve been asked to say.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2023
  • The smartphone, for all its wonder and utility, has also proved to be a narcotizing agent.
    Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2019
Adjective
  • In a statement to NBC News, Daiichi Sankyo, which makes Savaysa, said that the drug is used to reduce the risk of stroke and clots but added that anticoagulants can increase the risk of serious bleeding.
    David Cox, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Many of these people had been charged with serious crimes like assaulting security officers or bus and train operators, weapons possession, or threatening drivers.
    Amber Gaudet Updated February 5, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • For glam, Union’s pixie cut hairdo was coiffed with a modern touch, and her makeup included clean, serene details like bold brows, lightly lined eyes and a neutral lip.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 5 Feb. 2026
  • At L'Auberge de Sedona's serene spa, options include alternative treatments like chakra-balancing massages and Reiki, as well as body scrubs to make dry skin glow.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • College students in Indiana will have time off from classes to can relax, pick up more hours at their jobs or jet-set off to a hotspot spring break destination (Florida, probably).
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The design hugs the ankle before relaxing into a gentle slouch through the leg.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • That way, your ideas can land without sounding stern.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Carro ended the hearing with a stern directive to defense lawyers, who repeatedly pushed back on the June 8 trial date.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • While Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful, the West and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Tehran had an organized military program to seek the bomb up until 2003.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • While Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is peaceful, the West and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Tehran had an organized military program to seek the bomb up until 2003.
    Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sedate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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