painkiller
noun
pain·kill·er
ˈpān-ˌki-lər 
variants
or less commonly pain-killer
: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain
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
The film chronicles Kerr's rise and peak, including his struggles with addiction to painkillers, roller coaster relationship with Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt), and the lowest points of his career.
—
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
The film is based on the real-life story of Mark Kerr, a former college wrestler who battled trauma and an addiction to painkillers during the early years of the UFC.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025
Global health authorities rejected the US government’s claim that the popular painkiller acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol in America, causes autism when taken during pregnancy.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Without the backing of clear scientific evidence, the Food and Drug Administration is moving to update drug labeling for the common painkiller to discourage pregnant women from taking it.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
The film is based on the real-life story of Mark Kerr, a former college wrestler who battled trauma and an addiction to painkillers during the early years of the UFC.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025
Global health authorities rejected the US government’s claim that the popular painkiller acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol in America, causes autism when taken during pregnancy.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Without the backing of clear scientific evidence, the Food and Drug Administration is moving to update drug labeling for the common painkiller to discourage pregnant women from taking it.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
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