Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun sedative

1 sense of sedative

Sense 1
sedative, sedative drug, depressant, downer -- (a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person)
       => medicine, medication, medicament, medicinal drug -- ((medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease)
       => drug of abuse, street drug -- (a drug that is taken for nonmedicinal reasons (usually for mind-altering effects); drug abuse can lead to physical and mental damage and (with some substances) dependence and addiction)

Antonyms of adj sedative

1 sense of sedative

Sense 1
ataractic, ataraxic, sedative, tranquilizing, tranquillizing, tranquilising, tranquillising -- (tending to soothe or tranquilize; "valium has a tranquilizing effect"; "took a hot drink with sedative properties before going to bed")

INDIRECT (VIA depressant) -> stimulative -- (capable of arousing or accelerating physiological or psychological activity or response by a chemical agent)

Similarity of adj sedative

1 sense of sedative

Sense 1
ataractic, ataraxic, sedative, tranquilizing, tranquillizing, tranquilising, tranquillising -- (tending to soothe or tranquilize; "valium has a tranquilizing effect"; "took a hot drink with sedative properties before going to bed")
       => depressant (vs. stimulative) -- (capable of depressing physiological or psychological activity or response by a chemical agent)