anesthetize

verb

anes·​the·​tize ə-ˈnes-thə-ˌtīz How to pronounce anesthetize (audio)
 British  -ˈnēs-
anesthetized; anesthetizing

transitive verb

: to subject to anesthesia

Examples of anesthetize in a Sentence

The doctor anesthetized the patient by an intravenous injection. She was anesthetized before the operation.
Recent Examples on the Web The cumulative effect is anesthetizing, and politically damaging. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2023 Without that essential cinematic wit, the M:I films seem devoted to anesthetizing our senses. Armond White, National Review, 14 July 2023 Next, the bears will be examined while they are anesthetized and then moved to a larger enclosure to give them room to exhibit more natural behaviors, according to the news release. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2023 But not all of Zhu’s cooking features its spicy heat and anesthetizing effect. Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2023 Anderson: The moths are cold anesthetized before the antennae are removed. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Jan. 2021 The four others started showing signs of acute illness shortly afterward, prompting veterinary staff to anesthetize them and pump their stomachs, AP reported. Michael Roppolo, CBS News, 14 June 2023 The four others started showing signs of acute illness minutes later, so veterinary staff anesthetized them and pumped their stomachs. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 June 2023 The symbols for the day have been anesthetized by time but still very clearly represent the pain of love (think bleeding or punctured hearts, mischievous cupid with his sharp arrows, or Juliet’s hopeless suicide). Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, 13 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anesthetize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anesthetize was in 1848

Dictionary Entries Near anesthetize

Cite this Entry

“Anesthetize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthetize. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

anesthetize

verb
anes·​the·​tize ə-ˈnes-thə-ˌtīz How to pronounce anesthetize (audio)
anesthetized; anesthetizing
: to make insensible to pain especially by the use of an anesthetic

Medical Definition

anesthetize

transitive verb
anes·​the·​tize
variants or chiefly British anaesthetize also anaesthetise
anesthetized or chiefly British anesthetized also anesthetised; anesthetizing or chiefly British anesthetizing also anesthetising
: to subject to anesthesia
anesthetization noun
or chiefly British anaesthetization also anaesthetisation
ə-ˌnes-thət-ə-ˈzā-shən, British -ˌnēs-

More from Merriam-Webster on anesthetize

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