painkiller
noun
pain·kill·er
ˈpān-ˌki-lər 
variants
or less commonly pain-killer
: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain
Synonyms of painkiller
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
Overdose deaths fell in 45 states Deaths began steadily climbing in the 1990s with overdoses involving opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths from heroin and — more recently — illicit fentanyl.
—
Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Using the common painkiller acetaminophen during pregnancy is not linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in children, according to a study published in the Lancet.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Acetaminophen is a critical tool for physicians, the go-to drug to use during pregnancy because other commonly available painkillers, such as Advil (ibuprofen), and opioid medications can put a fetus at risk of kidney damage, preterm birth, or even stillbirth.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Jan. 2026
The color of the sort of deep bruising normally associated with OSHA violations, Chicago’s uniforms herald long periods of bed rest and a night table groaning from the weight of so many prescription painkillers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
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Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Using the common painkiller acetaminophen during pregnancy is not linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in children, according to a study published in the Lancet.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Acetaminophen is a critical tool for physicians, the go-to drug to use during pregnancy because other commonly available painkillers, such as Advil (ibuprofen), and opioid medications can put a fetus at risk of kidney damage, preterm birth, or even stillbirth.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Jan. 2026
The color of the sort of deep bruising normally associated with OSHA violations, Chicago’s uniforms herald long periods of bed rest and a night table groaning from the weight of so many prescription painkillers.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painkiller. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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