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

Popular sleep aids before surgery could prevent painkiller dependence later. — FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Sleep apnea, hypertension, obesity and prescription painkiller use added to the risk. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

The Harvard study links sleep apnea, hypertension, obesity and prescription painkiller use to elevated risk for both low testosterone and ED, conditions disproportionately common in former NFL players. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

The assassination attempt was one week ago, and Grace is back to working a full schedule and refusing painkillers. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Oct. 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