fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfen-tə-ˌnil How to pronounce fentanyl (audio)
: 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
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Operations also resulted in the seizure of 44,569 kilograms of cocaine, 421 kilograms of fentanyl and 2,281 weapons, the release says. Arkansas Online, 9 Oct. 2025 Prosecutors say the crew trafficked meth, fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and PCP while stockpiling guns to enforce orders. Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 And in recent years, fentanyl has gotten less potent. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025 There are open-air drug dens where fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, and methamphetamine are bought and sold like candy. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fentanyl

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fentanyl was in 1964

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Cite this Entry

“Fentanyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fentanyl. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Medical Definition

fentanyl

noun
fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfent-ᵊn-ˌil How to pronounce fentanyl (audio)
: 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.

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