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

Explain what fentanyl is and that it can be found in pills bought online or from friends. —Mike Baker, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024

But with nine people dying on average each day in North Carolina with fentanyl in their system, Stein said, more needs to be done to combat trafficking of the drug. —Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024

He was pronounced dead, and a medical examiner later found five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system. —CBS News, 27 Mar. 2024

Brandon, an aspiring stand-up comic, died of fentanyl and ethanol toxicity in January 2023 following a years-long battle with addiction to painkillers. —Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024

Other bills have also been introduced this session that specifically take aim at the growing threat of fentanyl. —Scooty Nickerson, The Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2024

Grace Kohler and Elizabeth Brown were sentenced to probation and must make donations to anti-drug organizations after buying fentanyl in Mexico in 2021. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024

In recent years fentanyl overdoses have increased, more than tripling from 2016 to 2021, according to the CDC, as fentanyl becomes more potent. —Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024

It’s not known why fentanyl is appearing in so many other drugs, said UCSF’s Bazazi. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

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.