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

Investigators recovered fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, ketamine, MDMA and tusi, a pink powder often containing ketamine and/or MDMA. —Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026

Reducing the flow of drugs, including fentanyl, is expected to be high on the agenda at this week's summit. —Janis MacKey Frayer, NBC news, 11 May 2026

Kelly Richardson, 29, and Derek Rayo, 31, were the first parents in Santa Clara County history to be charged with murdering their child by exposure to fentanyl. —Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 9 May 2026

Government crackdowns on the chemicals used to manufacture street fentanyl closed hundreds of suppliers and arrested hundreds of people in 2023, when the decline in overdose deaths began. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 May 2026

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

Rhymes for fentanyl

• bunnell
• funnel
• tunnel
• multifunctional

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.