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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of narcotic
Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
He was driven by the ambition to design the most potent narcotic analgesic possible.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Last November, the service launched a VTOL drone produced by ShieldAI called the MQ-35 V-BAT from a cutter to intercept illicit narcotics at sea, with three interdictions made in one night.
—Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Adjective
The bombers could be used to knock out narcotic production and distribution facilities.
—Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
He was driven by the ambition to design the most potent narcotic analgesic possible.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Since the operation began last October, more than a dozen firearms have been seized, along with nearly $200,000 in illicit funds and more than 10 kilograms of cocaine, fentanyl and other narcotics, according to the FBI.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Last November, the service launched a VTOL drone produced by ShieldAI called the MQ-35 V-BAT from a cutter to intercept illicit narcotics at sea, with three interdictions made in one night.
—Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic
Adjective
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For a more relaxing itinerary, book a mineral water soak in the bathhouse at Carson Hot Springs Resort, which has been providing access to pure hot spring waters since the early 1900s.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
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Other than that, hot water can be a relaxing treat at other points in the day.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Outside,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Universal wrapped the coaster cars in a hypnotic geometric black-and-white zebra design to obscure the ride vehicles.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
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Other artists of this era sought to intervene, guerrilla style, in the apparatuses of advertising, in order to shake consumers from their hypnotic slumber.—
Michael Cowan,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Regardless of the reason, there are many viable options for testing for specific drugs at home, such as marijuana, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines and other drugs.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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The illicit love story between the money launderer and the fentanyl trafficker working together to shower New England with deadly opiates came crashing down under the weight of a multi-year federal investigation.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After that, officials decided to use tranquilizer darts to take down the animals believed to be the three adults in the pack before euthanizing them.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Recent years, for example, have seen a major increase in adulteration with the horse tranquilizer xylazine, which knocks users out but doesn’t satisfy the opioid craving.—
Charles Fain Lehman,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Elsewhere, the Lotus Spa provides a soothing sanctuary and full menu of pricey treatments.—
Fran Golden,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
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The usually soothing nature of Amy Hood, one of my favorite CFOs, couldn't cut through the clutter.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
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In practice, this gives it mild pain-relieving effects, rather than acting as a strong anesthetic.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Few meals are as comforting as pot roast.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
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Artichoke dip is always a favorite; queso is another warm and comforting classic.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Unlike traditional sleep aids that rely on masking noise or sedative effects, Spatial Sleep is designed to work with the user’s neurobiology.—
SoundHealth,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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