narcotic

noun nar·cot·ic \ när-ˈkä-tik \

Definition of narcotic

1 a :a drug (such as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions

b :a drug (such as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically (see physiological) addictive and narcotic or not

2 :something that soothes, relieves, or lulls

a public comforted by the narcotic of military supremacy

See narcotic defined for English-language learners

See narcotic defined for kids

Examples of narcotic in a Sentence

an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done

Recent Examples of narcotic from the Web

The drug also bridges the gap between a cold pack and narcotics, said Michael Chiarella, director of operations at Richmond Rescue in Richmond, Vermont, which also handles many injuries suffered at a nearby ski resort.

— Washington Post, "Laughing gas makes a comeback as painkiller in ambulances," 31 Aug. 2017
Longhi spent five years in prison on burglary and narcotics charges, and has been arrested or ticketed about 50 times in DuPage County since 1993, court records showed.

— bill bird, Naperville Sun, "'Habitual criminal' sought in Naperville strip mall burglaries," 29 Aug. 2017
President Obama used it to effectively rewrite Congress’s narcotics statutes, for the benefit of drug felons and in circumvention of his duty to execute the laws faithfully.

— the editors, National Review, "A Bad Pardon," 28 Aug. 2017
Your Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis was especially focused on preventing overdose deaths and helping people get off narcotics.

— chicagotribune.com, "How not to handle the opioid crisis," 22 Aug. 2017
Barnes faces three other drug charges, including sale of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school zone.

— sandra gomez-aceves, courant.com, "Mother, Son Arrested In Middletown On Drug Sale Charges," 17 Aug. 2017
Venezuela has around 30 prisons, many of which suffer from overcrowding and are dominated by criminal gangs that traffic in weapons and narcotics.

— fabiola sanchez, The Seattle Times, "Venezuela governor says 36 killed during fighting at prison," 16 Aug. 2017
Others were charged for prescribing opioids and other narcotics that weren’t necessary and in some cases ended up being sold on the street.

— tom schoenberg, Bloomberg.com, "Trump’s First Health-Care Fraud Sweep Targets Doctors, Opioids," 13 July 2017
Indiana State Police assisted in processing the residence, according to the release, and several items were discovered there reportedly indicating narcotics use and the manufacturing of methamphetamine, the release said.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Man faces drug charges after suspected meth lab raid," 12 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'narcotic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of narcotic

Middle English narkotik, from Middle French narcotique, from narcotique, adjective, from Medieval Latin narcoticus, from Greek narkōtikos, from narkoun to benumb, from narkē numbness — more at snare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

narcotic Synonyms

Synonyms

anesthetic, anodyne, opiate

Related Words

security blanket; pacifier, palliative; hypnotic, sedative, soporific, tranquilizer (also tranquillizer)

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

narcotic

adjective

Definition of narcotic

1 a :having the properties of or yielding a narcotic

b :inducing mental lethargy

2 :of, induced by, or concerned with narcotics

3 :of, involving, or intended for narcotic addicts

—

narcotically

play \när-ˈkä-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of narcotic in a Sentence

some therapists believe that certain scents can have a narcotic effect on people
the lecturer droned on in a narcotic monotone that eventually had the entire class struggling to stay awake

Recent Examples of narcotic from the Web

In some cases, the customers presented prescriptions for non-narcotic drugs that had been bleached, then altered to request oxycodone.

— allison steele, Philly.com, "South Jersey pharmacist convicted of selling opioids to drug users," 22 Aug. 2017
Despite the U.S. providing $8.6 billion for counter-narcotic efforts in Afghanistan since 2002, the area under cultivation increased 10 percent to 201,000 hectares (497,000 acres) in 2016 compared with the previous year.

— kambiz foroohar, Bloomberg.com, "U.S. Hiding in Afghanistan as Trump Struggles to Define Vision, Watchdog Says," 1 Aug. 2017
The one the Sudanese man was allegedly trafficking, known as Captagon, is the Arabian peninsula’s most popular narcotic.

— The Economist, "Captured by CaptagonA new drug of choice in the Gulf," 18 July 2017
Officials said those charged in the schemes include more than 120 people involved in illegally prescribing and distributing narcotic painkillers.

— jeremy gray, AL.com, "Jimmy Carter collapses in Canada; former president, 92, was helping with Habitat build," 13 July 2017
Typically, authorities have said, addiction to prescription opioids begins with some physical ailment — a back or knee injury, for example — for which a narcotic painkiller is given.

— lenny bernstein, Washington Post, "Greater opioid use and mental health disorders are linked in a new study," 26 June 2017
The non-narcotic medication will be furnished to attendees during each session.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Restaurant week, new admin in Deer Park, mobile mammograms and more," 22 June 2017
Xanax is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures; Vicodin is a powerful narcotic for severe pain.

— madeleine marr, miamiherald, "What drugs was Tiger Woods on that night?," 13 June 2017
Narcotic violation: 7:52 p.m. 26900 block of Aliso Creek Road.

— shane newell, Orange County Register, "Aliso Viejo crime call log, June 4-10," 12 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of narcotic

see ¹narcotic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1526

See Words from the same year

narcotic Synonyms

Synonyms

calming, comforting, dreamy, lulling, soothing, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, sedative, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing)

Antonyms

stimulant

Related Words

hypnotic, opiate; analgesic, anesthetic, anodyne, deadening, depressant, numbing; antianxiety, antidepressant, antidepression, antistress

Near Antonyms

painful, stressful, tiresome, troubling, trying, unsettling, worrisome; energizing, invigorating, stimulant, stimulating; aggravating, annoying, bothersome, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, grating, harassing, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, troublesome, vexatious, vexing

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

NARCOTIC Defined for English Language Learners

narcotic

noun

Definition of narcotic for English Language Learners

: a drug (such as cocaine, heroin, or marijuana) that affects the brain and that is usually dangerous and illegal
medical : a drug that is given to people in small amounts to make them sleep or feel less pain

NARCOTIC Defined for Kids

narcotic

noun nar·cot·ic \ när-ˈkä-tik \

Definition of narcotic for Students

:a drug that in small doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and brings on sleep but in larger doses has dangerous effects, that includes some (as morphine) that are used in medicine and others (as heroin) that are used illegally, and that often causes addiction

narcotic

adjective

Definition of narcotic for Students

:of, relating to, or being a narcotic

narcotic drugs

narcotic laws

Medical Dictionary

narcotic

noun nar·cot·ic \ när-ˈkät-ik \

medical Definition of narcotic

1 :a drug (as codeine, methadone, or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions

2 :a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether in fact physiologically addictive and narcotic or not