fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfen-tə-ˌnil 

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally (as by intravenous or epidural injection)

Examples of fentanyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As part of the plea deal, Joaquin Guzman Lopez admitted to helping oversee the production and smuggling of large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and fentanyl into the United States, fueling a crisis that has contributed to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. —CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025

With him in custody, the police, warrant in hand, then searched the apartment and allegedly found 118 grams of cocaine, 102 grams of crack cocaine and 31 grams of fentanyl. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025

The New York City Chief Medical Examiner ruled in 2023 that Leandro died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025

Trump campaigned on prioritizing fighting transnational drug cartels, especially those smuggling deadly fentanyl into the United States, where the powerful synthetic opioid has killed more than 250,000 Americans since 2021. —Josh Meyer, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of phenethyl, a monovalent radical derived from ethylbenzine, from phen- + ethyl

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfent-ᵊn-ˌil 

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally

Note: Fentanyl is marketed under the trademark Actiq.