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
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
When Dina refuses an anesthetic slug of alcohol during the proceedings, Jesse gets the wind up.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
When morphine and anesthetics ran out, the French doctors operated on conscious patients.
—Amy Sohn, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
The first step in both cases is getting your scrotum numbed by applying a topical anesthetic ointment or cream.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
When Dina refuses an anesthetic slug of alcohol during the proceedings, Jesse gets the wind up.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Adjective
Veterinarians and handlers initiated a special resuscitation for large animals and administered drugs to reverse the effects of the anesthetic, saving the animal’s life.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
When morphine and anesthetics ran out, the French doctors operated on conscious patients.
—Amy Sohn, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
Opioids: Often used with sedatives to provide pain relief.—
Pamela Assid,
Verywell Health,
21 July 2025
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On top of this, older people are also more likely to take medications, such as diuretics or sedatives, that cause dehydration or further impact the body’s ability to sweat.789 Older adults are also more likely to have chronic diseases, which can worsen in extreme heat.—
Julia Ries,
Health,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Brown, who was attached to the department’s narcotics unit, did not show up for work that day.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
13 Aug. 2025
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The dog was a former narcotics K-9 with the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office that was donated to Burlington police when the office closed down its K-9 program, deputies said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
For extra strength, search for analgesic throat lozenges, which contain additional pain-fighting ingredients like menthol or benzocaine.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
26 June 2025
-
One of the primary appeals of medical marijuana is its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Mercury News,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
The medical staff gave her Xanax, a tranquilizer, and the painkiller oxycodone in pill form, according to medical records Sono Bello turned over to Schaeffer’s attorney.—
Fred Schulte,
Miami Herald,
29 July 2025
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According to the municipal code, tranquilizers can be used as a means of capture.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
22 July 2025
Noun
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According to the Los Angeles County Medical-Examiner’s autopsy and toxicology reports, Rivera was 6 feet tall, 288 pounds and was under the influence of opiates when he was killed.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
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Changes in the level or quality of opiates, fentanyl or other synthetic drugs can dramatically raise risks.—
Sophia Tiedge,
jsonline.com,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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Under the hypnotic spell of singer María Zardoya, whose breathy delivery is part comforting whisper, part secretive rasp, the jazzy dream-pop band used a dusk time slot to seamlessly soundtrack different visions: hiding in a room alone, running into an ex, lusting after a lover.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 Aug. 2025
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For the lip, Freedman and Zeta-Jones settled on a deep plum shade, one as equally hypnotic as the colors on her eyes.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Most Instagram accounts belonging to celebrities or public figures seek to create an anodyne, uniform experience; people peddle in similar photo quality, regular fixtures, minimal opinion sharing (or exclusive opinion sharing built on a political consistency).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Aug. 2025
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There are the anodyne curves of the Mercedes EQE sedan, which makes do with a less capable powertrain and an interior that feels a little too lightweight at times.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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