1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
he used total immersion in his job as an anesthetic for the empty shell that his marriage had become
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in analgesic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of anesthetic
Sarah Boden, NPR, 20 May 2025
Ketamine: An Old Drug With New Uses Ketamine, an anesthetic, was first approved by the FDA 50 years ago.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
While chubby cats may look cute, obesity can shorten their life and expose them to elevated risks of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension, osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints, urinary bladder stones, and anesthetic complications.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
The block is done by injecting a local anesthetic, often lidocaine, on top of and near the cervix.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 20 May 2025
Ketamine: An Old Drug With New Uses Ketamine, an anesthetic, was first approved by the FDA 50 years ago.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
On April 3, he was called to administer anesthetic shots for horses at a property located about 60 miles west of Las Vegas, Shawna Gonzalez, the property owner, told 8 News Now.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
While chubby cats may look cute, obesity can shorten their life and expose them to elevated risks of cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension, osteoarthritis and faster degeneration of affected joints, urinary bladder stones, and anesthetic complications.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
Strain: Purple Kush Pisces, known for their dreamy and artistic nature, will benefit from the soothing, sedative effects of Purple Kush.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
9 June 2025
-
This is because older adults can be more sensitive to the sedative effects of lorazepam.—
Verywell Health,
Verywell Health,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
This demonstration will feature the skill set to find specific odors such as narcotics, explosives and wildlife.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2025
-
After Guest was taken into custody, a search of the vehicle found multiple paraphernalia and narcotics.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
One of the primary appeals of medical marijuana is its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
20 May 2025
-
The term is an adjective that has also become a noun, describing one of the most common analgesic procedures available in modern medicine.—
Stephen C. George,
Discover Magazine,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
According to the municipal code, tranquilizers can be used as a means of capture.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
-
The amount of fentanyl appears to be dropping (see above), while the amount of animal tranquilizers, such as medetomidine and xylazine, is rising.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Some of these common drugs include antacids, antidepressants, blood pressure medication, iron supplements, and opiates (narcotics). Polyps or tumors: A blockage in the intestine caused by a large growth (a polyp) or a tumor prevents stool from passing.—
Amber J. Tresca,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
-
Second, those with substance use disorder, who consume opiates knowingly.—
Dr. Yifrah Kaminer,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, every spring in Baja, Mexico, mobula rays gather by the thousands, swirling in a hypnotic vortex.—
Rona Berg,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Along with guitarist Mike Campbell and Petty himself, Tench was with the Heartbreakers from their formation in 1976 all the way to their final show in 2017, toggling between the piano and Hammond organ as Petty’s kick-ass spellcaster who flew through songs like a hypnotic spiral.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
This statement, which may now strike us as anodyne, offended a good many of her friends, including the married ones.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
-
The Trump administration has been relentless about scrubbing government websites of all mentions of climate change, no matter how anodyne, but this was gentle stuff.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share