1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
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
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2025
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has been found to be effective for treatment-resistant depression.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
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
Adjective
First discovered in the 1880s, the noble gas was long used as an anesthetic.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 May 2025
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has been found to be effective for treatment-resistant depression.
—Eileen Finan, People.com, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
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The Mayo Clinic says that kratom can be used in low doses as a stimulant, and at higher doses as a sedative.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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To name a few: Anti-seizure drugs, antidepressants, and sedatives are all known to cause dizziness as a side effect.—
Rachel Nall,
SELF,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Prosecutors allege that Carvajal played a key role in coordinating large-scale cocaine shipments to the United States, using his official position to protect narcotics operations and facilitate deals with foreign insurgent groups, most notably Colombia’s FARC.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
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On Monday, the Suarez brothers admitted to first-degree charges of leading a narcotics trafficking network and possessing a handgun for an unlawful purpose, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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One of the primary appeals of medical marijuana is its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
20 May 2025
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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
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Buzbee also said that many of his clients claim Puff used horse tranquilizers to sedate them.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
2 Oct. 2024
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According to the municipal code, tranquilizers can be used as a means of capture.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
Noun
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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
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Second, those with substance use disorder, who consume opiates knowingly.—
Dr. Yifrah Kaminer,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Your use of long takes and hypnotic camera movement has become a signature.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2025
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To achieve the scene's hypnotic slow-motion effect, Anderson asked his actors to move unnaturally fast, leading del Toro to question whether the technique would translate on screen.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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So is the problem with public education that schools have become anodyne and antiseptic, focused on pedagogy over content knowledge and love of reading books, soulless and viewless?—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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For Worse isn’t all bad; bits of it are intriguing and the rest is too anodyne to get worked up about.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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