painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌki-lər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
variants or less commonly pain-killer
: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain
pain-killing adjective
or painkilling

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The researchers also note that roughly 90% of the product made from reacting broken down PET (terephthalic acid) with E. coli was paracetamol – making this a highly efficient and sustainable method of producing the painkiller. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 29 June 2025 The bacteria then produced special enzymes that interacted with the plastic molecule, transforming it into the painkiller ingredient. Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 His death was ruled an accidental overdose due to acute intoxication from a combination of prescription medications, including painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleeping aids. Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 21 June 2025 In India, for example, vulture populations dropped by 95 percent from the mid-1990s to early 2000s, after ranchers started treating their livestock with the painkiller diclofenac. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for painkiller

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of painkiller was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painkiller. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

painkiller

noun
pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌkil-ər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
: something (as a drug) that relieves pain
painkilling adjective

Medical Definition

painkiller

noun
pain·​kill·​er -ˌkil-ər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
: something (as a drug) that relieves pain
painkilling adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on painkiller

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!