1
as in relaxing
tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress
some therapists believe that certain scents can have a narcotic effect on people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hypnotic
tending to cause sleep
the lecturer droned on in a narcotic monotone that eventually had the entire class struggling to stay awake
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in opiate
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of narcotic
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
In Mulholland Drive, Harring and Watts’ magnetic, otherworldly bond bends the surrounding world, leaving it, and them, in a narcotic dream state.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The search warrant was issued for a residence at 191 Talbot Avenue as a part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Adjective
He was driven by the ambition to design the most potent narcotic analgesic possible.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
In Mulholland Drive, Harring and Watts’ magnetic, otherworldly bond bends the surrounding world, leaving it, and them, in a narcotic dream state.
—Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
The rhetoric, particularly about narcotics, aroused skepticism.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The search warrant was issued for a residence at 191 Talbot Avenue as a part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic
Adjective
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Sue Glass Redondo Beach Hope everyone had a nice relaxing offseason.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Onboard/Offboard is a series that explores the can't-miss highlights of our favorite cruises—from the shore excursions to book to the spa treatments too relaxing to pass up.—
Madison Flager,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Nazism’s total domination politically and socially found an aesthetic counterpart in the visual reduction of bodies to things, ecstatically subdued before the hypnotic power of a leader, force, or sublime beauty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Plus, Palmer and Goode's oh-so-palpable chemistry conjures up a hypnotic charm that even Harkness couldn't resist.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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When Samson starts coming round in search of more of the morphine darts Kelson has been using to subdue him — not even zombies are immune to the appeal of opiates — Kelson starts treating his wounds, then joining him in his doses, then dancing with him to fragments of ’80s songs.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
17 Jan. 2026
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But Clarke is worried about patients losing out on things like steroid injections, which help manage pain without opiates or surgery.—
Jillian Taylor,
StateImpact,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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After that, three more were first shot with tranquilizer darts, identified as adults, and then euthanized.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
16 Dec. 2025
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Experts note that facilities housing primates conduct routine drills and maintain tranquilizer equipment for rare escape events such as this one.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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These are the bad bathroom layouts keeping your space from feeling like a sanctuary, and designers are sharing how to switch things up for a much more soothing space.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
6 Jan. 2026
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Warm, soothing, and comforting – chicken soup is really good for the soul.—
Krissy Tiglias,
Southern Living,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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For people who have uncontrolled blood pressure and heart disease, dentists may opt for a different anesthetic.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
29 Dec. 2025
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Toward the beginning, students in the pilot learn about local anesthetics, handling instruments and positioning patients.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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When winter settles in and the days grow shorter, there’s something especially comforting about slowing down and staying close to home.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Jan. 2026
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This is a comforting meal that is anything but bland.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Security and crew members allegedly tackled and restrained the man while injecting him with the sedative Haloperidol and using three cans of pepper spray.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
18 Dec. 2025
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The complaint claims that the crew members, at the request of the staff captain, gave Virgil an injection of the sedative haloperidol and used multiple cans of pepper spray on him.—
Christine Pelisek,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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