painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌki-lər 

variants or less commonly pain-killer

: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain

pain-killing

ˈpān-ˌki-liŋ 

adjective

or painkilling

Synonyms of painkiller

• sedative
• analgesic
• tranquilizer

Examples of painkiller in a Sentence

I took some over-the-counter painkillers for my headache.

after her oral surgery, she was given a prescription for a mild painkiller

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1960, physicians could do little for a heart-attack patient beyond prescribing bed rest and painkillers; by 2019, with new surgical procedures and numerous costly drugs available, Americans were spending $265 billion treating cardiovascular disease. —Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026

Fischnaller immediately flew home to upstate New York, hopped up on painkillers and muscle relaxers that did little to quell her discomfort. —Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Critical medical supplies such as painkillers, gauze, and antibiotics are also unavailable. —Philip Wang, Time, 9 Feb. 2026

While the original painkiller cocktail was created on the island of Jost Van Dyke in the neighboring British Virgin Islands, this must-try beverage features classic tropical flavors like coconut, orange, and pineapple. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for painkiller

• basilar
• distiller
• biller
• chiller
• driller
• filler
• hilar
• hiller
• killer
• pillar
• quiller
• siller

Kids Definition

painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌkil-ər 

: something (as a drug) that relieves pain

painkilling

-iŋ 

adjective

Medical Definition

painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er -ˌkil-ər 

: something (as a drug) that relieves pain

painkilling

-iŋ 

adjective