truth serum
noun
: a hypnotic or anesthetic held to induce a subject under questioning to talk freely
Examples of truth serum in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An effective truth serum has never been scientifically proved, but that hasn’t stopped various intelligence and law enforcement agencies from slipping subjects a cocktail’s worth of different substances in an attempt to increase their truthfulness.
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Erik Ofgang, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Whereas most pop songs utilize at least a modicum of gloss to conceal the thirstiest elements of the human condition, this thing sounded like it was shot full of caffeine and truth serum.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
The structure is pleasantly nostalgic: Adventure-of-the-week stories that blend classic spy-genre elements — earpiece banter and epic shootouts, truth serum and international travel — with big-name guest stars in showcase roles.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2024
What ultimately dissuaded her, Breen suspects, was the drug’s reputation as a truth serum.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for truth serum 
Erik Ofgang, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Whereas most pop songs utilize at least a modicum of gloss to conceal the thirstiest elements of the human condition, this thing sounded like it was shot full of caffeine and truth serum.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
The structure is pleasantly nostalgic: Adventure-of-the-week stories that blend classic spy-genre elements — earpiece banter and epic shootouts, truth serum and international travel — with big-name guest stars in showcase roles.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2024
What ultimately dissuaded her, Breen suspects, was the drug’s reputation as a truth serum.
—Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for truth serum
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'truth serum.' 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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“Truth serum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truth%20serum. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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