designer drug
noun
1
: a synthetic version of a controlled substance (such as heroin) that is produced with a slightly altered molecular structure to avoid having it classified as an illicit drug
2
: a synthetic, therapeutic agent designed to have a highly selective mode of action so that effectiveness is maximized and side effects are minimized compared with existing therapies
Examples of designer drug in a Sentence
Ecstasy is a designer drug.
Recent Examples on the Web
If adopted in Manatee County, the ordinance will align with Sarasota County’s ordinance by banning designer drugs and derivatives of kratom.
—
Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
This approach genetically alters neurons so that they can be controlled by designer drugs.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Then crime boss Seizer, for whom Bird used to work, sees the perfect cover — hide a new designer drug in the furniture being moved along the East Coast.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Argentine officials also found substances in Payne’s hotel room that appeared to be drugs, as well as evidence of alcohol and narcotics consumption, including the designer drug known as pink cocaine.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
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Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2025
This approach genetically alters neurons so that they can be controlled by designer drugs.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2025
Then crime boss Seizer, for whom Bird used to work, sees the perfect cover — hide a new designer drug in the furniture being moved along the East Coast.
—Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2025
Argentine officials also found substances in Payne’s hotel room that appeared to be drugs, as well as evidence of alcohol and narcotics consumption, including the designer drug known as pink cocaine.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for designer drug
Cite this Entry
“Designer drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/designer%20drug. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
designer drug
noun
de·sign·er drug
di-ˌzī-nər- 
1
: a synthetic version of a controlled substance (such as heroin) that is produced with a slightly altered molecular structure to avoid classification as an illicit drug
Los Angeles County health officials warned Tuesday against the use of bath salts—the designer drug involved in a series of bizarre incidents and arrests …—Wesley Lowery, The Los Angeles Times
Wesley Lowery, The Los Angeles Times… the firm is involved in the illegal production and sale of MDMA, a designer drug commonly known as "ecstasy."—Time
Time2
: a synthetic, therapeutic agent designed to have a highly selective mode of action so that effectiveness is maximized and side effects are minimized compared with existing therapies
In contrast to past trial-and-error discovery, we are starting to see designer drugs that target known sites on molecules implicated in disease.—Nathaniel C. Comfort, The New York Times Book Review
Nathaniel C. Comfort, The New York Times Book ReviewResults of another dramatic prevention study zeroed in on raloxifene, a chemical cousin of tamoxifen, and one of the first so-called estrogen designer drugs.—Patricia Guthrie, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Patricia Guthrie, The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionLove words? Need even more definitions?
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