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
Relevance
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
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 anodyne
Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
When everything goes right, the airlines’ practiced, cheerful funneling and cajoling, plus the snacks and in-seat entertainment, make the experience feel anodyne and efficient.
—Jeff Wise, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 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
American Eagle will probably create a more anodyne campaign to follow this one.
—Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
When everything goes right, the airlines’ practiced, cheerful funneling and cajoling, plus the snacks and in-seat entertainment, make the experience feel anodyne and efficient.
—Jeff Wise, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 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
-
Beet juice may cause pink urine or red stool, which is harmless.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
12 Sep. 2025
-
For every community of mass-shooter fandoms, there is another that is silly, joyous, productive, or totally harmless.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At higher doses, kratom can be used as a sedative and potentially cause psychosis.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Yet, unlike cortisol, oxytocin will have an effect on your body akin to that of a sedative.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The woman was booked into the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on felony charges related to narcotics sales and weapons violations, as well as child endangerment, the sheriff’s office said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Travis Mello and Niles Mello will also be charged with narcotics offenses and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Act.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
While some Hamas apologists have portrayed the word as benign, its real meaning is undeniably violent — and not just for Israelis.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Given the slight shift toward caution that took hold among investors during its benign August-September consolidation, broad positioning seems well short of aggressive extremes.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Its pill, called Tonyma, is a nonopioid analgesic designed to be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These chemicals can be even more potent than other opiates and produce comparable hallucinogenic effects, increasing the desirability of the cut fentanyl on the market.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Financial reports, client data, or confidential business information can be uploaded in ways that sidestep official security and AI policies, often neutralizing safeguards intended to keep information safe.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
New technology can solve crimes faster, safer, and less expensively than ever before.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Someone's mispronunciation, for example, might have more do with innocent ignorance as opposed to a mistake worth correcting.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The new location will allow Wiggam Law to support clients outside of downtown Atlanta and directly in Gwinnett County, offering legal services including audit defense, tax litigation, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief and IRS collections representation.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share