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After bromine was discovered in 1827, chemists could not resist experimenting with the new element. It didn't take long before they found uses for its compounds, in particular potassium bromide, which was used as a sedative to treat everything from epilepsy to sleeplessness. By the 20th century, bromide was being used figuratively to apply to anything or anyone that might put one to sleep because of commonness or just plain dullness.
Examples of bromide in a Sentence
His speech had nothing more to offer than the usual bromides about how everyone needs to work together.
a newspaper editorial offering the timeworn bromide that people should settle their differences peacefully
Recent Examples on the Web
South Carolina and other states had in the past had difficulty obtaining some drugs for lethal injections, including sodium thiopental and pancuronium bromide, due to shortages.
—
Kristin Wright, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
The executioner who initiates the flow of lethal chemicals into Tanzi's body then enters the room to begin the state's three-drug protocol — beginning with etomidate, an anesthetic, followed by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium acetate, which will induce cardiac arrest.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
But Lee, wise to how the heart stutters, didn’t pander to audiences with bromides like love is love.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Antihistamines to reduce the body’s immune response (e.g., diphenhydramine)
Bronchodilators to open the airways (e.g., albuterol or ipratropium bromide and albuterol)
Your healthcare team will continue to assess your health status and give additional medications if needed.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bromide
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Kristin Wright, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
The executioner who initiates the flow of lethal chemicals into Tanzi's body then enters the room to begin the state's three-drug protocol — beginning with etomidate, an anesthetic, followed by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium acetate, which will induce cardiac arrest.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
But Lee, wise to how the heart stutters, didn’t pander to audiences with bromides like love is love.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Antihistamines to reduce the body’s immune response (e.g., diphenhydramine)
Bronchodilators to open the airways (e.g., albuterol or ipratropium bromide and albuterol)
Your healthcare team will continue to assess your health status and give additional medications if needed.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for bromide
Cite this Entry
“Bromide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bromide. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bromide
noun
bro·mide
ˈbrō-ˌmīd 
: any of various compounds of bromine with another element or a chemical group including some used as sedatives
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