painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌki-lər 

variants or less commonly pain-killer

: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain

pain-killing

ˈpān-ˌki-liŋ 

adjective

or painkilling

Synonyms of painkiller

• sedative
• analgesic
• tranquilizer

Examples of painkiller in a Sentence

I took some over-the-counter painkillers for my headache.

after her oral surgery, she was given a prescription for a mild painkiller

Recent Examples on the Web

Sources later confirmed to PEOPLE that Prince had a quiet history of using the prescription painkiller Percocet. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

The first began when Purdue Pharma, the company controlled by members of the Sackler family, aggressively marketed new prescription painkillers while downplaying their risks and generating enormous profits. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

While the island's painkiller cocktails run colder and stronger than ever, newer attractions like a floating spa offer more reasons to come to Jost Van Dyke—and stick around well after final call. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026

Before his departure from the show in 2012, Dane went to rehab for an addiction to painkillers. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for painkiller

• basilar
• distiller
• biller
• chiller
• driller
• filler
• hilar
• hiller
• killer
• pillar
• quiller
• siller

Kids Definition

painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌkil-ər 

: something (as a drug) that relieves pain

painkilling

-iŋ 

adjective

Medical Definition

painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er -ˌkil-ər 

: something (as a drug) that relieves pain

painkilling

-iŋ 

adjective