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

In Pasadena, volunteers at the restaurant Chamo Venezuelan Cuisine collected supplies, issuing a special plea for bandages, gauze, painkillers and other over-the-counter medicines. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026

Chase's mother also spoke out in an interview with the Daily Mail, sharing that her daughter was prescribed oxycodone and other painkillers after a motorcycle accident in 2016, leading to substance abuse issues. — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 29 June 2026

Chase’s mother said her daughter struggled to recover from a painkiller problem associated with a 2016 motorcycle crash, according to TMZ. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026

None of that stupid drug story stuff or anything other than factual things about painkiller addiction. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 25 June 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