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calmative

calmative

1 8.7
A medicine or drink that makes you feel less worried
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑːmətɪv/
  • Specialized
: calmante
  • In stressful situations, some individuals turn to herbal calmatives to maintain their composure.

Examples

  • Nonbarbiturate sedatives and calmatives

    Blog text (32)
  • Barbiturate sedatives and calmatives

    Blog text (32)
  • Many people find that a warm cup of tea acts as a calmative after a long day.

  • The doctor recommended a natural calmative to help alleviate her anxiety before the exam.

Synonyms

tranquilizer
vscalmative
  • Specialized
57 6.1

A medicine that makes a person calmer and reduces worry or tension without making them sleepy

reduces anxiety and agitation without specifying preserved clarity
relaxer
vscalmative
6 4.2

Something that helps someone feel calm, like tea or soft music

reduces anxiety or agitation specifically rather than general relaxation
sedative drug
vscalmative
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A medicine that calms you and makes you sleepy

reduces anxiety and agitation rather than focusing on central nervous system calming
relaxant
vscalmative
  • Specialized
1 7.2

Causing muscles or the mind to become calm and less tense

targets mental anxiety and agitation rather than primarily loosening muscles
peaceful pill
vscalmative
  • Informal
6.8

Something that makes you feel calm when you are worried

serves more generally as a substance to reduce anxiety or agitation

Antonyms

2 5.1

Causing the body or mind to become more active

How Calming

tranquilizer
  • Specialized
57 6.1
sedative
4 5.8
calmative
  • Specialized
1 8.7
anxiolytic
  • Specialized
1 9.9
herbal therapy
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Surface Forms

calmative singular
calmatives plural

Morphology

calmative = calmative (semi-transparent) = calm + ative

The noun is a straightforward conversion from the adjective 'calmative', but the suffixal form is somewhat learned and the noun sense is slightly specialized.

Etymology

Calmative as a noun comes from the word calm and the ending -ative, so it names a thing that 'causes calm'. Think of it as a mild medicine or tea that helps you relax.