Synonyms of anesthetic

anesthetic 1 of 2

noun

1

as in sedative

something (as a drug) that relieves pain

the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sedative
• analgesic
• tranquilizer
• painkiller
• narcotic
• opiate
• anodyne

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

• narcotic
• tranquilizer
• opiate
• sedative
• anodyne
• security blanket
• hypnotic
• palliative
• pacifier
• soporific

anesthetic

2 of 2

adjective

as in analgesic

Related Words

• analgesic
• deadening
• depressant
• opiate
• hypnotic
• anodyne
• numbing
• sedative
• antidepressant
• antianxiety
• narcotic
• tranquilizing
• relaxing
• calming
• antistress
• antidepression
• soothing
• comforting
• dreamy
• quieting
• lulling
• pacifying

Dissimilar Words

• painful
• stressful
• unsettling
• troubling
• tiresome
• worrisome
• stimulant
• stimulating
• trying
• troublesome
• irritating
• disturbing
• annoying
• aggravating
• bothersome
• frustrating
• irksome
• vexatious
• maddening
• energizing
• vexing
• exasperating
• invigorating
• galling
• nettlesome
• grating
• harassing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of anesthetic

Noun

Jessie would need to be put under an anesthetic and receive a lumbar puncture, injecting the medicine directly into his spine. — Bo Evans, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Jackson insisted the physicians administering her treatments used a general anesthetic to render her unconscious. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The actor had been taking the surgical anesthetic ketamine legally for depression, an increasingly common off-label use. — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026

The album’s ideal love is anesthetic, a script for surviving daily chaos and tragedy that doesn’t require reciprocation. — Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026