SEDATE Synonyms: 233 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sedate 1 of 2

adjective

si-ˈdāt

Definition of sedate next

as in solemn

not joking or playful in mood or manner while not exactly cold, the doctor does maintain a sedate and purely professional demeanor with his patients

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in calm

free from emotional or mental agitation her expression remained sedate as I told her the bad news

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sedate

2 of 2

verb

as in to narcotize

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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

Examples of sedate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The cost of unleaded regular gasoline rose by a relatively sedate 2.7% in June. —

George Avalos, The Mercury News, 11 July 2024 On September 17, Japan’s normally sedate parliament dissolved into scuffles as opposition politicians tried and failed to prevent a vote on the bills, which ultimately passed. —

Michael Auslin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2016

Verb

The animals need to be sedated in order for the zookeepers to so much as trim their hooves. —

Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 4 July 2024 According to a 2022 article in the ASA Monitor, outpatient surgery, where the patient is sedated only briefly and discharged the same day, as is the case for egg retrievals, now makes up the majority of surgeries in the U.S. —

Emma Copley Eisenberg, TIME, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for sedate

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sedate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Sedate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sedate. Accessed 25 Aug. 2024.

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Last Updated: 11 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of sedate

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