narcotic

noun

nar·cot·ic | \ när-ˈkä-tik

Definition of narcotic

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

narcotic

adjective

Definition of narcotic (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : 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

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Examples of narcotic in a Sentence

Noun

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

Adjective

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 on the Web: Noun

Bryan Watson and David Hansberry worked as undercover narcotics agents for the Detroit Police Department. — Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit police officers lose appeal: ‘They were dirty cops’," 13 June 2019 Barnes started his line of questioning by asking about McGrier’s previous convictions, including for narcotics. — Juliana Kim, baltimoresun.com, "Former Baltimore officer and man he punched on viral video testify in assault trial," 7 June 2019 The Trump administration is trying to ratchet up pressure to capture a Mexican drug lord who allegedly ordered the murder of an American narcotics agent more than three decades ago. — Joseph Tanfani, latimes.com, "Three decades after a DEA agent was slain in Mexico, the FBI puts his alleged killer on the Most Wanted list," 12 Apr. 2018 The sheriff's office has not released the names of the four undercover narcotics officers involved. — CBS News, "Keeven Robinson's family wants answers after fatal struggle with New Orleans cops," 16 May 2018 Lopinto said the question for investigators is whether plain-clothes narcotics officers used excessive force. — Fox News, "Coroner: Suspect who died after police struggle asphyxiated," 14 May 2018 According to police, narcotics officers began investigating the case a month ago after getting complaints from neighbors about drug-trafficking in the fourth-floor apartment. — Christine Dempsey, courant.com, "Bristol Police: 300 Bags Of Fentanyl Thrown Out Window During Drug Bust," 26 Apr. 2018 Cricket Darlene Kimbrough, 35, was initially taken into custody on March 28 by narcotics agents for allegedly possessing methamphetamine. — Jonece Starr Dunigan, AL.com, "Athens woman accused of operating prostitution ring, organized 'sex parties'," 3 Apr. 2018 Deep in the hold of the incoming ship a bale of rags, invoiced as paper stock, may conceal a score of narcotics, liquor, jewelry, forbidden bird plumes, obscene books, or any one of a hundred other articles, either forbidden or heavily taxed. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Rewind: What Guarding Uncle Sam's Borders Was Like in 1925," 11 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The juvenile faces possible charges of possession/transportation of a narcotic drug. — Serena O'sullivan, azcentral, "Yavapai County Sheriff: 2 men arrested, juvenile detained in fentanyl pills investigation," 6 June 2019 Muhammad Wasim Ali, is set to be released later this year after being convicted of illegally distributing narcotic painkillers without a valid medical reason. — Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, "Trump Says He’s Considering a Pardon for Muhammad Ali," 8 June 2018 One narcotic smuggler, however, shipped a large number of bales of merchandise bearing a low rate of duty, with a supply of drugs concealed in each. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Rewind: What Guarding Uncle Sam's Borders Was Like in 1925," 11 Feb. 2019 Photo: Mike Shum/Frontline/WSJ When his head was cut open in a fight, the inmate said, Mr. Weber stitched him up at his house and gave him a bottle of narcotic pain medicine. — Gabe Johnson, WSJ, "A Pedophile Doctor Drew Suspicions for 21 Years. No One Stopped Him.," 8 Feb. 2019 In 2015, Julie Hamp, a Toyota Motor Corp. public relations executive, an American, was arrested on suspicion of importing oxycodone, a narcotic pain killer, into Japan. — Yuri Kageyama, The Seattle Times, "As Ghosn heads for Nissan exit, Renault merger hopes fade," 21 Nov. 2018 But deputies managed to take her into custody moments later and, during a search of the vehicle, discovered methamphetamine, prescription pills, narcotic equipment and several miscellaneous ID cards, police said. — Katherine Lam, Fox News, "Florida female felon's bloody mugshot the result of her head-on crash while fleeing cops, officials say," 19 July 2018 She was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, possession of marijuana and possession of narcotic paraphernalia. — Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, "Warren woman crashes truck doing donuts in Macy's parking lot," 2 Jan. 2018 Drug abuse, Broadview Road: During a March 9 traffic stop, police discovered a Cleveland woman was in possession of a felony narcotic. — John Benson, cleveland.com, "Cleveland shoplifters attempt to elude police: Parma Police Blotter," 15 Mar. 2018

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.

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Last Updated

17 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for narcotic

The first known use of narcotic was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for narcotic

narcotic

noun

English Language Learners Definition of narcotic

: 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

See the full definition for narcotic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

narcotic

noun

nar·cot·ic | \ när-ˈkä-tik

Kids Definition of narcotic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

Kids Definition of narcotic (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, or being a narcotic narcotic drugs narcotic laws

narcotic

noun

nar·cot·ic | \ när-ˈkät-ik

Medical Definition of narcotic

(Entry 1 of 2)

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