analgesic 1 of 2

noun

ˌa-nᵊl-ˈjē-zik How to pronounce analgesic (audio)
Definition of analgesicnext
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain the doctor prescribed an analgesic and rest for my injured knee

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

analgesic

2 of 2

adjective

as in anesthetic

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 analgesic
Noun
The feds began cracking down on prescription opioid analgesics (OAs) to combat their overprescribing to people with pain issues. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 19 Dec. 2025 The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry. — Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The eagle is also getting anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications because birds that fly into fences often get concussions. — Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025 He was driven by the ambition to design the most potent narcotic analgesic possible. — Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for analgesic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for analgesic
  1. sedative
  2. anesthetic
  3. tranquilizer
  4. opiate
  5. anodyne
  6. hypnotic
  7. depressant
Noun
  • Monroe reportedly ingested a lethal dose of Nembutal, an anxiety medication, as well as a large dose of chloral hydrate, a drug used as a sedative.
    — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Native to the Pacific Islands, its active compounds (kavalactones) act directly on the brain's GABA receptors much like a mild sedative and are typically used for acute anxiety or insomnia.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of sedative
Adjective
  • Because of their large size, giraffes are challenging to move and position appropriately for anesthetic procedures.
    — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026
  • Because there is a depersonalized, anesthetic quality to it.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 26 June 2026
Definition of anesthetic
Noun
  • Other monkeys, including some of the larger and more dominant macaques, had to be subdued with tranquilizer darts before they could be captured.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • The worrisome drug withdrawal popping up in jails A powerful tranquilizer has started to accompany fentanyl in the country’s illicit opioid supply, and jails are struggling to handle the drug’s excruciating, complicated withdrawal symptoms.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026
Definition of tranquilizer
Adjective
  • Because poppy seeds come from the same plant species used to produce opiates, consuming large amounts can sometimes lead to detectable levels of opiate compounds in urine tests.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2026
  • Because Demerol is an opiate, doctors would have needed to administer Narcan to reverse its effects, detectives wrote.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
Definition of opiate
Adjective
  • Here, the drive experience is rather anodyne, albeit entirely acceptable for a daily driver.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 4 June 2026
  • Venture forth, ye viewers of strong will, into a seemingly anodyne furniture store in San Jose, California, circa 1990.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 May 2026
Definition of anodyne
Adjective
  • Often unfurling over the course of entire afternoons and evenings, González’s knotty, hypnotic works typically test the expectations (and patience) of viewers, who are left to figure out what’s improvised and what isn’t.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Caillois employs this term throughout his 1960 book Méduse et cie (The Mask of Medusa), which traces this hypnotic phenomenon through human as well as natural history.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of hypnotic
Adjective
  • Clancy’s psychiatrist already took the stand to discuss the defendant’s anxiety in September, which turned into insomnia in October, after she was prescribed the anti-depressant Zoloft.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
  • At the time of the 1998 murder-suicide, Brynn had cocaine, alcohol and a prescription anti-depressant in her system, The New York Times reported.
    — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of depressant

Browse Nearby Words

analects
analgesic
analgesics
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Analgesic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/analgesic. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on analgesic

Nglish: Translation of analgesic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about analgesic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All