NARCOTIC Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

narcotic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of narcotic

as in relaxing

tending to calm the emotions and relieve stress some therapists believe that certain scents can have a narcotic effect on people

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

narcotic

2 of 2

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

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 narcotic

Adjective

Candidates for the mysterious narcotic plant eaten by Odysseus’s men in the land of the Lotus-Eaters include the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and the jujube (Ziziphus jujuba). — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026 The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Keith Johnson, was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony vandalism, felony burglary, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, possession of another person's identifying information and probation violation. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

Everybody knows that those record companies were started with the sales of narcotics. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026 On July 14, police recovered narcotics, including crack, heroin and fentanyl, during a raid of Spatola’s Manhattan home. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for narcotic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic

Adjective

The couple, along with their daughter Harper and their son Romeo, have been enjoying a relaxing trip around Europe this summer.

— Meg Walters, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026
Starfish Manor Starfish Manor has everything grown-ups need for a relaxing, kid-free seaside stay, from Pacific-view rooms to beach access for romantic strolls on the sand.

— Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of relaxing

Noun

Investigators said Summers was using his phone extensively before the crash, driving 73-75 mph, and tested positive for cocaine and opiates.

— Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Kratom helped Getz get work, build a life, and ultimately get off of opiates.

— David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026

Definition of opiate

Adjective

Aloe and Centella asiatica lend soothing benefits, antioxidant-rich green tea defends against environmental stressors, and ceramides support the skin barrier.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026
Named after the city in Yemen, Singh said the coffee shop will provide a soothing atmosphere, open for everyone, including college students looking for a place to study and friends to gather.

— Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of soothing

Noun

Other monkeys, including some of the larger and more dominant macaques, had to be subdued with tranquilizer darts before they could be captured.

— Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
The worrisome drug withdrawal popping up in jails A powerful tranquilizer has started to accompany fentanyl in the country’s illicit opioid supply, and jails are struggling to handle the drug’s excruciating, complicated withdrawal symptoms.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026

Definition of tranquilizer

Adjective

Video compilations of Trachtenberg and Panettiere’s characters, Casey Carlyle and Gen Harwood, respectively, started circulating on social media on Monday, with fans noting the film’s comforting feel of nostalgia amid the tragic deaths of its stars.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026
The result is a perfect contrast of jammy fruit and light, flaky biscuits, delivering a balance of fresh summer flavor and comforting, homemade goodness.

— Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of comforting

Adjective

But the police also caution that many stories involving scopolamine verge on urban legend, and confirm that most criminals use other sedative drugs to manipulate their victims.

— Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Otto recommends families seek opinions from pediatricians, speech-language pathologists and ENT doctors before deciding on a frenectomy, following a recent Fort Worth procedure that ended in a 4-year-old girl’s death from a sedative overdose.

— Star-Telegram staff. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of sedative

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narcotic

narcotics

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“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of narcotic

adjective

noun

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