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
However, despite the popularity of marijuana as a painkiller, study results on its effectiveness have been mixed.
—
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
While painkillers like ibuprofen are often enough to relieve a headache, prescription medications are sometimes necessary to make head pain more bearable.
—Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
Once returned to their usual environment, perhaps on painkillers, their demeanor can shift dramatically.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Many indigenous groups harnessed the plant as a painkiller, where it was used to treat everything from toothaches and sore throats to common colds and the flu.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2025
While painkillers like ibuprofen are often enough to relieve a headache, prescription medications are sometimes necessary to make head pain more bearable.
—Katherine Cobb-Pitstick, The Conversation, 1 Dec. 2025
Once returned to their usual environment, perhaps on painkillers, their demeanor can shift dramatically.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Many indigenous groups harnessed the plant as a painkiller, where it was used to treat everything from toothaches and sore throats to common colds and the flu.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painkiller. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
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