: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt (such as a hydrochloride or a sulfate) as an analgesic and sedative
Examples of morphine in a Sentence
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Relatives, rattled by the rapid cluster of losses, pressed for an autopsy; toxicology found morphine in one daughter’s system, prompting exhumations and a wider inquiry.
—
Christina Coulter, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
O'Neil said 7-hydroxymitragynine, 7-OH, is deliberately addictive and a powerful opioid agonist many times more potent than morphine.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Other opioids, such as fentanyl and morphine, are in a lower schedule because they are used medically.
—Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
In the absence of robust education on pain physiology and management, many clinicians turn to what they were taught: opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine do indeed lessen pain and work quickly.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
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Christina Coulter, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
O'Neil said 7-hydroxymitragynine, 7-OH, is deliberately addictive and a powerful opioid agonist many times more potent than morphine.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Other opioids, such as fentanyl and morphine, are in a lower schedule because they are used medically.
—Sarah Owermohle, CNN Money, 29 July 2025
In the absence of robust education on pain physiology and management, many clinicians turn to what they were taught: opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine do indeed lessen pain and work quickly.
—Hany Demian, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for morphine
Cite this Entry
“Morphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morphine. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
morphine
noun
mor·phine
ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 
: a bitter white habit-forming narcotic drug made from opium and used especially to deaden pain
Etymology
derived from Morpheus "Greek god of dreams"
Medical Definition
morphine
noun
mor·phine
ˈmȯr-ˌfēn
: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C17H19NO3)2·H2SO4·5H2O or hydrated hydrochloride C17H19NO3·HCl·3H2O as an analgesic and sedative
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