opiate

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noun opi·ate \ ˈō-pē-ət , -ˌāt \

Definition of opiate

1 a :a drug (such as morphine or codeine) containing or derived from opium and tending to induce sleep and alleviate pain; broadly :narcotic 1a

b :opioid 1

2 :something that induces rest or inaction or quiets uneasiness

regarded television as an opiate

See opiate defined for English-language learners

See opiate defined for kids

Examples of opiate in a Sentence

Many see television as an opiate of the masses.
a cultural critic who argues that the Internet has now joined television as an opiate of the American people

Recent Examples of opiate from the Web

But President Trump hasn’t brought an outsider’s perspective to the opiate crisis.

— conor friedersdorf, The Atlantic, "The Weakness of Trump's Plan to Fight Opioids," 10 Aug. 2017
The opiate overdose epidemic in the United States only emerged in the past few years.

— jeanette steele, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Put down that painkiller, pick up a yoga mat: VA study finds yoga helps chronic back pain without pills," 6 Aug. 2017
The devices can undo the effects of an opiate overdose almost immediately and are identical to those used by officers in many of the country’s law enforcement agencies.

— don babwin, The Seattle Times, "Chicago giving departing inmates overdose-reversing drug," 29 July 2017
In response to Harford County's opiate/heroin epidemic, the Harford County Health Department will offer free training on Thursday, July 20, in the administration of naloxone (also branded under the name Narcan), a potentially life-saving medication.

— staff report, The Aegis, "Harford Health Department offering free naxalone training Thursday," 19 July 2017
A study for the Global Initiative against Transnational Organised Crime last year concluded that the only drug that could be firmly linked to IS was Tramadol, a synthetic opiate useful as combat medicine.

— The Economist, "Captured by CaptagonA new drug of choice in the Gulf," 18 July 2017
In May, Koffie sold opiates to two buyers in Portland, according to court documents.

— noelle crombie, OregonLive.com, "Two fentanyl overdose deaths tied to dark web lead to Portland charges," 12 July 2017
The other two medications, methadone and buprenorphine, are synthetic opiates that have a bias against them, Vuolo said.

— terry demio, Cincinnati.com, "Jails finally offer drug treatment, but is it the right kind?," 9 July 2017
Miami-Dade medical examiners tested Wilson’s body for common drugs, including cocaine, marijuana, opiates and oxycodone.

— alex harris, miamiherald, "Merrick Park gym shooter had only marijuana in his system during attack," 7 July 2017

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

First Known Use of opiate

15th century

opiate Synonyms

Synonyms

anesthetic, anodyne, narcotic

Related Words

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

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

opiate

adjective

Definition of opiate

1 a :containing or mixed with opium

b :of, relating to, binding, or being an opiate

opiate receptors

2 a :inducing sleep :narcotic

b :causing dullness or inaction

Examples of opiate in a Sentence

morphine is an opiate drug

Recent Examples of opiate from the Web

In the absence of nutrition and hydration, the body produces opiate-like substances that blunt hunger and thirst.

— jonel aleccia, Kaiser Health News, "Despite Advance Directive, Dementia Patient Denied Last Wish, Says Spouse," 21 Aug. 2017
A deputy sheriff in Virginia suffered an accidental overdose Wednesday during a drug investigation in what appeared to be another hazard of the country’s opiate problem.

— martin weil, Washington Post, "Sheriff’s deputy in Virginia suffers overdose during accidental contact with drug during investigation," 4 Aug. 2017
As heroin spreads, so does its antidote: Narcan, which rips off and replaces opiate molecules on the brain’s receptors.

— staff, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Narcan on hand: Winter Haven becomes among latest Central Florida agencies to get lifesaving drug," 2 Aug. 2017
Heroin and opiate prescription painkillers have long been driving Kentucky overdose deaths, but in 2016 fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, was the leading cause, the report said.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky drug epidemic's smallest victims: Babies dying in their sleep," 6 July 2017
To date, 31 states have expanded Medicaid eligibility through Obamacare, helping to drive a historic reduction in the number of uninsured Americans — including many struggling with opiate addiction.

— noam n. levey, The Seattle Times, "Report: Senate health bill leaves 22M more uninsured," 26 June 2017
What supporters said Oelslager said the budget addresses concerns about funding opiate addiction treatment, K-12 education, food banks and other services for which Democrats urged more spending.

— jackie borchardt, cleveland.com, "$65.4 billion Ohio budget bill clears Senate: See where the money goes," 21 June 2017
The epidemic Sessions refers to involves deadly opiate drugs, not marijuana, Chris writes.

— paige winfield cunningham, Washington Post, "The Health 202: Trump's health care evolution can be traced in his tweets," 14 June 2017
Opiate addiction and mounting overdose deaths hit epidemic proportions after medical professionals began profiting from pain clinics at which the addictive drugs were doled out.

— jamie satterfield, USA TODAY, "Tennessee counties sue drugmakers over opioid epidemic," 14 June 2017

First Known Use of opiate

1543

opiate Synonyms

Synonyms

drowsy, narcotic, hypnotic, sleepy, slumberous (or slumbrous), somniferous, somnolent, soporific

Antonyms

stimulant

Related Words

depressant, relaxant, sedative, tranquilizing (also tranquillizing); calming, comforting, lulling, pacifying, quieting, relaxing, restful, settling, soothing; analgesic, anesthetic, anesthetizing, benumbing, deadening, dulling, numbing; hypnotizing, mesmerizing, stupefying

Near Antonyms

arousing, awakening, energizing, invigorating, rousing, stimulating, wakening, waking; bracing, refreshing, restorative, reviving, stimulative, stimulatory

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

OPIATE Defined for English Language Learners

opiate

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noun

Definition of opiate for English Language Learners

: a drug (such as morphine or codeine) that is made from opium and that is used to reduce pain or cause sleep
: something that causes people to ignore problems and to relax instead of doing things that need to be done