1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
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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
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as in analgesic
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Sarah Boden, NPR, 20 May 2025
Ketamine: An Old Drug With New Uses Ketamine, an anesthetic, was first approved by the FDA 50 years ago.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
In one study, the topical anesthetic combination of hydrocortisone and pramoxine (found in some over-the-counter eczema lotions) was effective for short- and long-term itch relief.9
4.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
The block is done by injecting a local anesthetic, often lidocaine, on top of and near the cervix.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 20 May 2025
Ketamine: An Old Drug With New Uses Ketamine, an anesthetic, was first approved by the FDA 50 years ago.
—Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
To commit the killings, the doctor allegedly administered an anesthetic inducer and a muscle relaxant to his patients without their knowledge or consent, according to prosecutors.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
In one study, the topical anesthetic combination of hydrocortisone and pramoxine (found in some over-the-counter eczema lotions) was effective for short- and long-term itch relief.9
4.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
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Jeff Getting: The evidence introduced at the trial was … contained in the autopsy report, which didn't find any significant evidence of sedatives … But Kate Fox also testified that Linda had discussed ways of getting rid of her husband, including running him over with a car.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
20 May 2025
-
Florida uses a three-drug cocktail for its lethal injection: a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Corrections Department.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Ulbricht had been given a life sentence in 2015 for multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute narcotics and money laundering.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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But the agency has recently renewed a push to tighten security around mail citing a smuggling tactic where pages of letters or books are soaked with narcotics.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
28 May 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
-
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
-
According to the municipal code, tranquilizers can be used as a means of capture.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2025
-
The amount of fentanyl appears to be dropping (see above), while the amount of animal tranquilizers, such as medetomidine and xylazine, is rising.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
24 Mar. 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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Meanwhile, every spring in Baja, Mexico, mobula rays gather by the thousands, swirling in a hypnotic vortex.—
Rona Berg,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Along with guitarist Mike Campbell and Petty himself, Tench was with the Heartbreakers from their formation in 1976 all the way to their final show in 2017, toggling between the piano and Hammond organ as Petty’s kick-ass spellcaster who flew through songs like a hypnotic spiral.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The Trump administration has been relentless about scrubbing government websites of all mentions of climate change, no matter how anodyne, but this was gentle stuff.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
6 Apr. 2025
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Take something as seemingly anodyne as solving math problems, which can sometimes be a surprising weakness in LLMs.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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