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

At night, the entranceway filled with homeless people who came inside to sleep; addicts smoked fentanyl in unoccupied apartments. —Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

In 2022, 20 teens ages 15-17 died of fentanyl. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025

Xylazine in particular exploded in 2020, with Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana being top states for the drug being found mixed with fentanyl. —David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 4 Sep. 2025

Trump says the nation’s persistent trade deficit and the flow of fentanyl into the United States qualifies as such an emergency. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 4 Sep. 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.