as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
the otherwise anodyne comments sounded quite inflammatory when taken out of context
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist prescribed an anodyne after the root canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
as an anodyne for the stress and superficiality of the modern world, there's nothing better than reading a literary classic of substance and insight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of anodyne
Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 11 May 2025
And while Barstool’s controversial founder, Dave Portnoy, who also became a character in the contract drama, offers a few anodyne words of praise for Cooper in the doc, Franklyn is only glimpsed in archival footage.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 June 2025
Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Adjective
Put another way, a meeting that should have been routine, even anodyne, has become important, in large part only because the two leaders did not fight in the Oval Office.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 11 May 2025
And while Barstool’s controversial founder, Dave Portnoy, who also became a character in the contract drama, offers a few anodyne words of praise for Cooper in the doc, Franklyn is only glimpsed in archival footage.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 June 2025
Noun
The result of all that rulemaking and political sensitivity is the anodyne Covid-19.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodyne
Adjective
-
For the moment, that strategy on the part of the artists may work, given how seemingly harmless the imaginary images are, but Grome warns that problems could ensue.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Anyone who has asked Shildt a legitimate (and often harmless) question and gotten a flummoxed look and then a response that ranges from condescending to combative knew what was coming.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Aug. 2025
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
-
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
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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
Adjective
-
The virus is now known to be a DNA virus that is genetically related to human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause benign warts or certain types of cancer in humans.—
Matthew Binnicker,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
In addition, the AI program flagged only 2% of benign files as dangerous.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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How is kratom different from 7-OH? When isolated in its concentrated state, 7-OH, the active metabolite present in the kratom plant, becomes a highly potent analgesic.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
29 July 2025
-
Hospitals were able to replenish their supplies of antibiotics, sterile gauze, analgesics, and surgical equipment.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
19 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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In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Aug. 2025
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Orlando urgently needs a space that not only provides safe shelter but also offers essential services — veterans programs, children’s resources, health care, education and job support.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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On the way back to her workstation after the 0830 all clear, Masako indulged this innocent conceit by regaling some of her Kenjo coworkers with a claim about her father’s apparently magical ability to protect himself and his family from American bombs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
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To illustrate the absurdity of adhering too closely to genre conventions, Galloway describes a plot about an innocent girl who winds up in a strange town.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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