an·es·thet·ic
ˌa-nəs-ˈthe-tik 
1
: of, relating to, or capable of producing anesthesia
2
: lacking awareness or sensitivity
was anesthetic to their feelings
1
: a substance that produces anesthesia
2
: something that brings relief : palliative
Examples of anesthetic in a Sentence
Noun
The doctor gave him the stitches without an anesthetic.
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
Recent Examples on the Web
Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 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
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
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Adjective
Supplements That Interfere With Anesthesia Certain supplements can interact negatively with anesthetic medications, which are given before surgery to prevent feeling pain or discomfort during the procedure.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 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
Noun
This is a woman who, on her way up from humble roots, got herself a breast augmentation without anesthetic to save the money.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthetic. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anesthetic
1 of 2 adjective
an·es·thet·ic
ˌan-əs-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, or capable of producing anesthesia
anesthetic
2 of 2 noun
: a substance that produces anesthesia in part or all of the body
Medical Definition
anesthetic
1 of 2 adjective
an·es·thet·ic
variants
or chiefly British anaesthetic
1
: capable of producing anesthesia
anesthetic agents
2
: of, relating to, or caused by anesthesia
an anesthetic effect
anesthetic symptoms
anesthetic
2 of 2 noun
variants
or chiefly British anaesthetic
: a substance that produces anesthesia
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