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

• analgesic
• anesthetic
• anodyne

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.com, 21 Apr. 2025

There are also straight-up painkillers like OTC and prescription urinary analgesics (AZO, Cystex, Pyridium) that can temporarily numb things, as well as the usual acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and prescription opioids (though all of these mask, rather than resolve, symptoms). —Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 Apr. 2025

Hopped up on painkillers, Matt calls out for Karen — oops — while Heather is at his bedside. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 15 Apr. 2025

For years afterward, he was prescribed various painkillers. —Henry Larweh, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025

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