TRANG-kwuh-ly-zer
Tranquilizer (or tranquillizer) is a medication used to reduce anxiety, fear, tension, and agitation. First synthesized in 1955, these drugs revolutionized psychiatric treatment and became among the most prescribed medications worldwide.
Yes. TRANQUILIZER is in the Scrabble-style word list used by our tools and scores 30 points in Scrabble, 33 in Words With Friends and 31 in Wordfeud (base tile values, no board multipliers). Always check the dictionary your game uses (NWL, Collins or the WWF list) before playing.
| Letter | T | R | A | N | Q | U | I | L | I | Z | E | R | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrabble | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 30 |
| Words With Friends | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 33 |
| Wordfeud | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 31 |
A tranquilizer (also spelled tranquillizer in British English) is a drug that reduces anxiety, fear, tension, agitation, and related states of mental disturbance. These medications work by depressing the central nervous system, producing a calming effect that helps manage various psychological and physical conditions. The term encompasses a broad category of medications, from mild anti-anxiety drugs to powerful sedatives used in medical procedures.
Tranquilizers are divided into two main categories: major and minor. Major tranquilizers, also known as antipsychotics or neuroleptics, treat severe mental disturbances in conditions like schizophrenia. Minor tranquilizers, called anxiolytics or anti-anxiety agents, address milder states of anxiety and tension. The most famous minor tranquilizers are benzodiazepines, including Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), and Ativan (lorazepam).
The discovery of tranquilizers revolutionized psychiatry. Leo Sternbach accidentally discovered the first benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), in 1955 while working at Hoffmann-La Roche. Initially abandoned as a failed project, the compound was later tested and showed remarkable sedative, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant properties. By 1977, benzodiazepines had become the most prescribed medications globally.
The word "tranquilizer" has a soothing etymology that reflects its calming purpose. It derives from "tranquil," which comes from the Latin tranquillus, meaning "calm, quiet, still." The Latin breaks down into trans- (across, beyond) + quillus (possibly related to quies, meaning "rest" or "quiet").
Anagrams: no other word uses exactly the letters of TRANQUILIZER.
Hooks: no front hooks; back TRANQUILIZERS.
Words inside TRANQUILIZER: 433 shorter words can be made from these letters – highest scoring: TRANQUILIZEQUANTIZERQUANTIZEQUETZALQUARTZQUEZALQUIZTRANQUILERRITUALIZEANTIQUERAQUILINEINQUIRER. See all words from TRANQUILIZER.