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

Most households have a stash of painkillers tucked away for surprise headaches or stubborn cramps. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

He was given steroids and high-grade painkillers that carried risks of stunted growth and weakened ligaments. —Jason Quick, New York Times, 15 May 2025

The national opioid settlements punished pharmaceutical manufacturers and some pharmacies for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic, which began with prescription painkillers and ultimately morphed into fentanyl. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 May 2025

This type is directly caused by an underlying health condition, like kidney disease or sleep apnea, or taking medications, like certain painkillers or birth control pills. —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 12 May 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