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
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 anesthetic
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
This is a woman who, on her way up from humble roots, got herself a breast augmentation without anesthetic to save the money.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Dental surgeon William Thomas Green Morton saw the case as the perfect opportunity to test his anesthetic breathing apparatus in the hospital’s amphitheater.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
He was given anesthetics to ease his pain.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025
This is a woman who, on her way up from humble roots, got herself a breast augmentation without anesthetic to save the money.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
Schultz also slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Dental surgeon William Thomas Green Morton saw the case as the perfect opportunity to test his anesthetic breathing apparatus in the hospital’s amphitheater.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Jon Ruben, a 76-year-old retired British veterinarian, was sentenced to 23 years and 10 months in prison on charges of child abuse after drugging boys with sedative-laden candy last year at a summer camp in England.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two people were also arrested for allegedly engaging police in pursuit and a man who was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Following that purchase, Lower Burrell police and Westmoreland County detectives executed a search warrant and found several products that were Schedule I narcotics throughout the store.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some studies suggest lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Dec. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
After that, officials decided to use tranquilizer darts to take down the animals believed to be the three adults in the pack before euthanizing them.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Recent years, for example, have seen a major increase in adulteration with the horse tranquilizer xylazine, which knocks users out but doesn’t satisfy the opioid craving.—
Charles Fain Lehman,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Regardless of the reason, there are many viable options for testing for specific drugs at home, such as marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines and other drugs.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The illicit love story between the money launderer and the fentanyl trafficker working together to shower New England with deadly opiates came crashing down under the weight of a multi-year federal investigation.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Universal wrapped the coaster cars in a hypnotic geometric black-and-white zebra design to obscure the ride vehicles.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Other artists of this era sought to intervene, guerrilla style, in the apparatuses of advertising, in order to shake consumers from their hypnotic slumber.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
