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
Relevance
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
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
Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
In the ditched backpack, police reportedly found nearly a kilogram of cocaine, numerous narcotic pills and items used to process and package narcotics, federal officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
The governor faces federal charges, including narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, along with another conspiracy count.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Adjective
Last week, Acuna was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of narcotic drugs.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 6 Apr. 2026
In the ditched backpack, police reportedly found nearly a kilogram of cocaine, numerous narcotic pills and items used to process and package narcotics, federal officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
Shots rang out out 18 seconds after Goines' narcotics team pulled up to the house, and the shooting was over in less than a minute, according to testimony by a Texas Rangers investigation during Goines' trial.
—John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
The governor faces federal charges, including narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, along with another conspiracy count.
—CBS News, 2 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic
Adjective
-
In the photos, Biles and Owens, 30, enjoyed a relaxing day by the pool.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
5 May 2026
-
With a few upgrades, your own backyard becomes a relaxing oasis.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The race there begins somberly in the museum before runners bound up one flight of stairs into a hallway that leads into the main stairwell; from there, the steps settle into continuous, shallow right turns providing a repetitive, hypnotic cadence.—
Michelle Sinclair Colman,
Curbed,
7 May 2026
-
Elevated rooms—some villas sit on stilts above the jungle floor, giving full treehouse vibes—offer total immersion within the thick, humid jungle, underscored by wild birds, hypnotic cicadas, and the swing of mischievous monkeys.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2020, O'Neal had a near-fatal stroke after overdosing on morphine, opiates and pain medication.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the tranquilizer kicked in, the bear climbed higher into the tree before stumbling down a branch, eventually losing its grip completely and falling into the net.—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Fentanyl in street drugs is in some cases being mixed with or supplemented by dangerous alternatives, including the animal tranquilizer medetomidine and cychlorphine, an emergent synthetic opioid that carries an extreme risk of overdose.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Those are paired with a soothing lineup of Centella asiatica, madecassoside, panthenol, and allantoin to keep skin balanced (as irritation can worsen pigmentation).—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 May 2026
-
Opt for Warm Lighting Harsh lighting is the opposite of soothing, says Brooks.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
All seven participants were anesthetized intravenously, with the common drug propofol being the main anesthetic.—
Jacek Krywko,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
-
The prosecution condemned Murray's decision to administer Propofol in a home setting without proper monitoring equipment, using the toxic anesthetic as treatment for insomnia, and waiting an extended time to call 911.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Two of fall's most comforting flavors combined?—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
11 May 2026
-
The production is cold, distant, and uncertain, like the world lately, but within the song the lyrics feel warm and comforting.—
Time,
Time,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
In that sense, pregabalin (brand name Lyrica), which is used to treat nerve pain and is associated with sedative effects, is less common.—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The result is a calmer, quieter brain at bedtime without any sedative effect.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
