What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
narcotize
Example
The dentist will narcotize your gums before the procedure. [narcotize: verb]
Example
The patient was completely narcotized and didn't feel any pain during the surgery. [narcotized: past participle]
tranquilize
Example
The vet will tranquilize the dog before the examination. [tranquilize: verb]
Example
The medication helped to tranquilize her nerves and reduce her anxiety. [tranquilized: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tranquilize is more commonly used than narcotize in everyday language. Tranquilize is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while narcotize is less common and typically used in medical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between narcotize and tranquilize?
Both narcotize and tranquilize are formal words that are typically used in medical or scientific contexts. However, narcotize has a more negative connotation due to its association with drug abuse and addiction, which may make it less appropriate for formal situations.