1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
he used total immersion in his job as an anesthetic for the empty shell that his marriage had become
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in analgesic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
He was given anesthetics to ease his pain.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Perry died in 2023 at age 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine with drowning a contributing factor.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
Toward the beginning, students in the pilot learn about local anesthetics, handling instruments and positioning patients.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
He was given anesthetics to ease his pain.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
Adjective
The suit alleges that surgeon Dare Ajibade gave Easley an excessive amount of the anesthetic lidocaine during the 6½-hour procedure and failed to recognize persistent vomiting afterward as a sign of toxicity.
—Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Perry died in 2023 at age 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine with drowning a contributing factor.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
All Florida executions are carried out by injecting a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
DAVID FISCHER,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Giant subterranean sandworms measuring 1,500 feet long; a narcotic that fuels interstellar travel and bends a user’s perception of space-time; a mystical cabal of eugenicist witches—the list goes on.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
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In a news release shared on social media, Menifee Police Department officers said that San Jacinto residents Yurida Guerrero Valenzuela, 21, and Kevin Dayon Ocegueda, 22, were both arrested and booked on suspicion of selling narcotics and alcohol to minors following a weeks-long investigation.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Epibatidine intrigued researchers for decades and was once highly sought after as a potential analgesic many times more powerful than morphine.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Some studies suggest lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
According to court records, a powerful animal tranquilizer known as BAM — a combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine — was found in her bone marrow.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
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Those selling the drugs are replacing them with a less lethal, but very strong tranquilizer, called medetomidine, which results in severe withdrawal symptoms.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Regardless of the reason, there are many viable options for testing for specific drugs at home, such as marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines and other drugs.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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The illicit love story between the money launderer and the fentanyl trafficker working together to shower New England with deadly opiates came crashing down under the weight of a multi-year federal investigation.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The melodic closer had the huge crowd energized and swaying along, as the nearly 50-foot stage, fully adorned in LED lights, beamed hypnotic celestial imagery in neon blue.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Mar. 2026
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Eric Magnuson’s fair gripe in The Atlantic last week pointed me to this hypnotic novella from one of our best fever dreamers.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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