fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfen-tə-ˌnil 

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally (as by intravenous or epidural injection)

Examples of fentanyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Boothe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum prison term of five years and a maximum term of prison of 40 years, officials said. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025

But today, fentanyl—with all the side effects that accompany its interaction with buprenorphine—has taken over the market for illicit opioids. —Ethan Brooks, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025

Drug seizures at the southwest border increased overall in fiscal year 2024, but fentanyl seizures decreased. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized close to 72 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl from a cruise passenger arriving in Galveston, Texas. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025

Specifically relating to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the CDC reported an estimated 55,126 deaths in the same 12-month period, down from 79,432 the year before. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of phenethyl, a monovalent radical derived from ethylbenzine, from phen- + ethyl

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfent-ᵊn-ˌil 

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally

Note: Fentanyl is marketed under the trademark Actiq.