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

Well, despite Peaches dying, all Robbie got was a massive load of pure fentanyl. —Grace Byron, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2025

Boston police officers allegedly found 40 plastic bags of crack cocaine and 20 plastic bags of fentanyl in James’s bra and pants pockets. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025

Venezuela’s production of cocaine is modest; of fentanyl, virtually nonexistent. —Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025

Trump has said that those duties are to hold those nations accountable for tolerating the flow of the deadly drug fentanyl into the United States. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 9 Sep. 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.