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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025
The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, said that Musk had sparked concerns about his alleged regular use of multiple drugs, including anesthetic ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.
—Marni Rose McFall Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Schultz also slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
That’s either an epidural, which involves receiving anesthetic meds via a catheter (a.k.a. tiny tube) inserted next to your spinal cord, or a spinal block, which is a single shot of numbing drugs directly into your cerebrospinal fluid.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025
The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, said that Musk had sparked concerns about his alleged regular use of multiple drugs, including anesthetic ketamine, ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms.
—Marni Rose McFall Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Adjective
Other factors include the level of inflammation and how quickly anesthetics work.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Schultz also slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
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Texas began solely using pentobarbital, a sedative, for executions in 2012.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Popular since the Soviet days, Validol, a mild sedative sold over the counter, flies off the shelves in tens of millions each year.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Several vessels allegedly carrying narcotics have been targeted, resulting in at least 21 deaths.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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The most recent strike, which took place last week in international waters off the coast of Venezuela, blew up a vessel allegedly carrying narcotics in international waters and killed four people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even in the analgesic study, where traditional scales often failed or even showed misleading results (for example, participants reporting more pain after receiving an analgesic), the monetary measures correctly and significantly detected differences.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Sep. 2025
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The draft, titled Development of Non-Opioid Analgesics for Chronic Pain, outlines steps to creating and seeking alternative chronic pain treatments amid the opioid epidemic, specifically the development of non-opioid analgesic products.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Spike takes one of Kelson's tranquilizer darts filled with morphine and stabs Samson in the arm with it.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
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Jacintha, a horseback rider, was familiar with ketamine as a horse tranquilizer but had never heard of it as a last-stop mental health treatment for treatment-resistant patients like Lucy, who was diagnosed with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These chemicals can be even more potent than other opiates and produce comparable hallucinogenic effects, increasing the desirability of the cut fentanyl on the market.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
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Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The deep green glass vessel, etched with vertical lines reminiscent of towering tree trunks, shifts from khaki to warm browns and golden yellows as the flame flickers, casting a hypnotic glow that’s as enchanting as its aroma.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
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Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien have continued their hypnotic rivalry.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This season of The Golden Bachelor is shaping up to be the most anodyne viewing of the fall.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
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But Meyers’s lead-in is Jimmy Fallon at The Tonight Show, who tends to occupy a more politically anodyne space.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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