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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 May 2026
All seven participants were anesthetized intravenously, with the common drug propofol being the main anesthetic.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Perry died in 2023 at age 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine with drowning a contributing factor.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
Iwamasa then injected Perry with the short-acting anesthetic.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 May 2026
All seven participants were anesthetized intravenously, with the common drug propofol being the main anesthetic.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
Adjective
The suit alleges that surgeon Dare Ajibade gave Easley an excessive amount of the anesthetic lidocaine during the 6½-hour procedure and failed to recognize persistent vomiting afterward as a sign of toxicity.
—Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Perry died in 2023 at age 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine with drowning a contributing factor.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
The woman did a Google image search and concluded that the drug was stronger — Ambien, a prescription sedative, reads the complaint.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2026
-
The attorneys also said prosecutors did not prove the sedative is what killed him.—
Mead Gruver,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The Eastern Pacific and Caribbean remain major corridors for narcotics trafficking, with cartels frequently using small, fast-moving vessels to transport drugs toward the United States and Central America.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
Doctors have been seeking a non-opioid drug as a less addictive alternative to narcotics.—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The compounds in kratom show promise for their analgesic properties.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
The classic pisco sour is unmissable, as is the island cocktail made with pisco, eucalyptus syrup, and wild murta, a local antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic berry used by indigenous communities in traditional medicine and food.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are sedatives such as xylazine, street-named Tranq, an animal tranquilizer that can cause fleshrotting skin lesions and is frequently mixed with fentanyl.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
18 May 2026
-
Naloxone, the ingredient in Narcan, is an antidote for opioid overdoses, but because xylazine is not an opioid, the emergency medicine only stops the effects of fentanyl, not the tranquilizer, making those who overdose more likely to have lethal repercussions.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2020, O'Neal had a near-fatal stroke after overdosing on morphine, opiates and pain medication.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The hypnotic motifs and stylized figures in these collections lit a fuse for Nilsson and her peers, seeding a fascination with non-Western art that has continued throughout her career.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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The haunting and hypnotic story follows stepbrothers Niall (Mitchell Robertson as a teen, Jamie Bell as an adult) and Ruben (Stuart Campell as a teen, Gadd as an adult) over 30 years, as their uneasy yet unshakeable bond becomes an increasingly toxic relationship.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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