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
New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
The procedure involves injecting a local anesthetic into a cluster of nerves in the neck that could potentially regulate the sympathetic nervous system.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Dental surgeon William Thomas Green Morton saw the case as the perfect opportunity to test his anesthetic breathing apparatus in the hospital’s amphitheater.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
And they've been found in oral and neck cancer cells with one study finding that their activation using the common anesthetic, lidocaine, caused the cells to die off.
—New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
The procedure involves injecting a local anesthetic into a cluster of nerves in the neck that could potentially regulate the sympathetic nervous system.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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
Dental surgeon William Thomas Green Morton saw the case as the perfect opportunity to test his anesthetic breathing apparatus in the hospital’s amphitheater.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
The sedative is not typically tested for as it cannot be legally obtained in the United States.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Florida’s lethal injections use a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
At the hospital, Tsvyk tested negative for narcotics.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has said that the action in Venezuela was an anti-drug law enforcement operation, though Venezuelan leaders have denied the government is involved in narcotics.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some studies suggest lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The eagle is also getting anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications because birds that fly into fences often get concussions.—
Madeline Bartos,
CBS News,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
After that, three more were first shot with tranquilizer darts, identified as adults, and then euthanized.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Experts note that facilities housing primates conduct routine drills and maintain tranquilizer equipment for rare escape events such as this one.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
When Samson starts coming round in search of more of the morphine darts Kelson has been using to subdue him — not even zombies are immune to the appeal of opiates — Kelson starts treating his wounds, then joining him in his doses, then dancing with him to fragments of ’80s songs.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2026
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But Clarke is worried about patients losing out on things like steroid injections, which help manage pain without opiates or surgery.—
Jillian Taylor,
StateImpact,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Nazism’s total domination politically and socially found an aesthetic counterpart in the visual reduction of bodies to things, ecstatically subdued before the hypnotic power of a leader, force, or sublime beauty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Plus, Palmer and Goode's oh-so-palpable chemistry conjures up a hypnotic charm that even Harkness couldn't resist.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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