Synonyms of narcotic

narcotic 1 of 2

adjective

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relaxing
• tranquilizing
• soothing
• hypnotic
• comforting
• sedative
• calming
• quieting
• opiate
• dreamy
• anesthetic
• analgesic
• depressant
• lulling
• antidepressant
• deadening
• antianxiety
• anodyne
• pacifying
• numbing
• antidepression
• antistress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• painful
• stressful
• tiresome
• troubling
• unsettling
• worrisome
• stimulant
• trying
• stimulating
• troublesome
• disturbing
• irritating
• annoying
• aggravating
• frustrating
• vexatious
• maddening
• irksome
• exasperating
• bothersome
• vexing
• energizing
• invigorating
• galling
• nettlesome
• grating
• harassing

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

• hypnotic
• opiate
• soporific
• soothing
• drowsy
• sleepy
• somnolent
• slumberous
• hypnotizing
• sedative
• depressant
• relaxant
• comforting
• somniferous
• tranquilizing
• quieting
• anesthetic
• analgesic
• dulling
• relaxing
• calming
• restful
• settling
• deadening
• stupefying
• numbing
• benumbing
• lulling
• anesthetizing
• mesmerizing
• pacifying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stimulant
• stimulating
• waking
• rousing
• arousing
• energizing
• bracing
• refreshing
• restorative
• stimulative
• stimulatory
• reviving
• awakening
• invigorating
• wakening

narcotic

2 of 2

noun

när-ˈkä-tik 

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

• opiate
• tranquilizer
• anesthetic
• sedative
• hypnotic
• anodyne
• security blanket
• palliative
• soporific
• pacifier

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of narcotic

Adjective

Although the trial may have gone in Scott's favor, Gill was highly critical of the Middletown narcotic detective's actions and questioned his motivation. — Juliet Pennington, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Billy [William Friedkin, the director] out on narcotic raids. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

Noun

Mexican Mafia leaders, from behind bars, exert widespread control over street gang members, controlling the flow and sales of narcotics on local streets and in prisons and jails. — Sean Emery, Oc Register, 22 July 2026

Their deaths highlight the proliferation of maritime narcotics trafficking — and the ways that some Mexican fishermen have been swept up in the drug trade. — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026