Tonic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈtä-nik/ ton·ic

Meaning & Definition of Tonic

Tonic (noun)

  1. tonic water
  2. an agent (such as a drug) that increases body tone
  3. one that invigorates, restores, refreshes, or stimulates

Tonic (adjective)

  1. characterized by tonus; also, marked by prolonged muscular contraction
  2. producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition and reaction of organs (such as muscles)
  3. increasing or restoring physical or mental tone, refreshing

Tonic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind

    "breathe in clear tonic mountain air"

    "never underestimate the tonic power of humor on a sick person"

    similar: bracing, cordial, invigorating, refreshing, rejuvenating, restorative, reviving, stimulating, stimulative, vital, vitalizing
    related: life-giving, conditioning, strengthening, animating, exhilarating, exhilarative, quickening, sharp, corrective, curative, curing, medicinal, rectifying, recuperative, reformative, reformatory, rehabilitative, remedial, remedying, reparative, therapeutic, beneficial, healthful, healthy, helpful, salubrious, salutary, wholesome
    near: deadening, debilitating, draining, enervating, enfeebling, exhausting, numbing, sapping, weakening, wearying, deleterious, injurious, pernicious, insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome

  2. beneficial to the health of body or mind

    "the tonic air of the mountains is just what you need after being cooped up in the city for so long"

    similar: good, healthful, healthy, medicinal, restorative, salubrious, salutary, salutiferous, sanative, wholesome
    related: alleviative, corrective, curative, recuperative, refreshing, rehabilitative, rejuvenating, rejuvenescent, remedial, advantageous, useful, antiseptic, aseptic, clean, hygienic, sanitary, nourishing, nutritional, nutritious, nonpoisonous, nontoxic
    opposite: insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome
    near: damaging, deleterious, harmful, injurious, pernicious, infectious, poisonous, sickening, toxic, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary

Tonic (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in soda, pop

    similar: pop, soda, soda pop, soft drink, drink, drinkable, libation, potable, quencher, potion, nectar, mix, mixer
    opposite: alcohol, brew, intoxicant, liquor, spirits

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tonic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tonic:

bracing, cordial, invigorating, refreshing, rejuvenating, restorative, reviving, stimulating, stimulative, vital, vitalizing, good, healthful, healthy, medicinal, salubrious, salutary, salutiferous, sanative, wholesome, pop, soda, soda pop, soft drink, drink, drinkable, libation, potable, quencher, potion, nectar, mix, mixer

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Tonic

Words with the opposite meaning of Tonic:

insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome, alcohol, brew, intoxicant, liquor, spirits

Related Words for Tonic

life-giving, conditioning, strengthening, animating, exhilarating, exhilarative, quickening, sharp, corrective, curative, curing, rectifying, recuperative, reformative, reformatory, rehabilitative, remedial, remedying, reparative, therapeutic, beneficial, helpful, alleviative, rejuvenescent, advantageous, useful, antiseptic, aseptic, clean, hygienic

Near Antonyms of Tonic

deadening, debilitating, draining, enervating, enfeebling, exhausting, numbing, sapping, weakening, wearying, deleterious, injurious, pernicious, damaging, harmful, infectious, poisonous, sickening, toxic, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary

Word Forms of Tonic

Derived words: tonically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Tonic

Greek tonikos, from tonos tension, tone

First known use: 1797

Words & Phrases Containing Tonic

tonic accent, tonic sol-fa, tonic water

Frequently Asked Questions about Tonic

What does "Tonic" mean?

"Tonic" means tonic water. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: tonic water. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tonic"?

Other words for "Tonic" include bracing, cordial, invigorating, refreshing, rejuvenating, restorative, reviving and stimulating. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tonic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tonic"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tonic". Common alternatives include bracing, cordial, invigorating, refreshing, rejuvenating, restorative, reviving, stimulating, stimulative and vital.

What is the opposite of "Tonic"?

Antonyms of "Tonic" include insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome, alcohol, brew and intoxicant. Near antonyms include deadening, debilitating, draining and enervating.

How do you use "Tonic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tonic" in a sentence: "breathe in clear tonic mountain air"; "never underestimate the tonic power of humor on a sick person"; "the tonic air of the mountains is just what you need after being cooped up in the city for so long".

Is "Tonic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Tonic" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Tonic"?

"Tonic" is pronounced /ˈtä-nik/ and divided into syllables as ton·ic.

What is the origin of the word "Tonic"?

"Tonic" comes from Greek tonikos, from tonos tension, tone. First known use: 1797.