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After bromine was discovered in 1827, chemists could not resist experimenting with the new element. It didn't take long before they found uses for its compounds, in particular potassium bromide, which was used as a sedative to treat everything from epilepsy to sleeplessness. By the 20th century, bromide was being used figuratively to apply to anything or anyone that might put one to sleep because of commonness or just plain dullness.
Examples of bromide in a Sentence
His speech had nothing more to offer than the usual bromides about how everyone needs to work together.
a newspaper editorial offering the timeworn bromide that people should settle their differences peacefully
Recent Examples on the Web
However, swapping out classic sodium chloride for sodium bromide is a solid way to give yourself acne, involuntary muscle spasms, and paranoid psychosis.
—
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
Bromism, or high levels of bromide, was considered after a lab report and consultation with poison control, the report said.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025
When ChatGPT suggested swapping sodium chloride (table salt) for sodium bromide, the man made the replacement for a three-month period — although, the journal article noted, the recommendation was likely referring to it for other purposes, such as cleaning.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
While the journal noted that doctors were unable to review the original AI chat logs and that the bot likely suggested the substitution for another purpose, such as cleaning, the man purchased sodium bromide and used it in place of table salt for three months.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bromide
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2025
Bromism, or high levels of bromide, was considered after a lab report and consultation with poison control, the report said.
—Doha Madani, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2025
When ChatGPT suggested swapping sodium chloride (table salt) for sodium bromide, the man made the replacement for a three-month period — although, the journal article noted, the recommendation was likely referring to it for other purposes, such as cleaning.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025
While the journal noted that doctors were unable to review the original AI chat logs and that the bot likely suggested the substitution for another purpose, such as cleaning, the man purchased sodium bromide and used it in place of table salt for three months.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bromide
Cite this Entry
“Bromide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bromide. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bromide
noun
bro·mide
ˈbrō-ˌmīd 
: any of various compounds of bromine with another element or a chemical group including some used as sedatives
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