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
Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
On top of that, concerns in Washington were mounting over the trafficking of the deadly narcotic fentanyl within mail and small packages.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The police had found evidence not only of a network ferrying cocaine from South America to European ports but also of a sophisticated money-laundering organization worth hundreds of millions of euros—an enterprise rivalling the narcotics business in its size.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Adjective
Both have been charged with first-degree murder, three counts of possession of opiate, opium, narcotic, or certain stimulant, and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
—Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
On top of that, concerns in Washington were mounting over the trafficking of the deadly narcotic fentanyl within mail and small packages.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
Soka is trained in narcotics detection, and is collared and microchipped.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The police had found evidence not only of a network ferrying cocaine from South America to European ports but also of a sophisticated money-laundering organization worth hundreds of millions of euros—an enterprise rivalling the narcotics business in its size.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for narcotic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotic
Adjective
-
Golfers can play a round at the renowned Torrey Pines golf course, and for those looking for a more relaxing experience, a hike through Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers incredible coastal views in the last surviving home of the namesake tree in the continental United States.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
25 Oct. 2025
-
One of the most relaxing parts of the day is burrowing under your blankets before drifting off to sleep.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His presence is fresh, empathetic, often hypnotic, and never overacted.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
24 Oct. 2025
-
One of the most basic versions is a progressive relaxation technique, a countdown from 10 to 1 where Perri uses what are known as hypnotic language patterns.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These chemicals can be even more potent than other opiates and produce comparable hallucinogenic effects, increasing the desirability of the cut fentanyl on the market.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Spike takes one of Kelson's tranquilizer darts filled with morphine and stabs Samson in the arm with it.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Jacintha, a horseback rider, was familiar with ketamine as a horse tranquilizer but had never heard of it as a last-stop mental health treatment for treatment-resistant patients like Lucy, who was diagnosed with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Although the brain itself has no pain receptors, Bacon was given local anesthetic to numb her scalp and skull, as doctors made holes half the size of a small coin in her skull and implanted the stimulating electrodes inside.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
23 Oct. 2025
-
There is not much to say about that misadventure, other than that some people still haven’t gotten the memo about dissociative anesthetics and bathtubs.—
Sam Lipsyte,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Everyday Dal The warming, soothing and downright healing effects of dal are well known throughout South Asia and its diaspora.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The formula itself is quite gentle—hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin B5, and the label’s prebiotic thermal water come together for a versatile serum apt at hydrating, soothing, and strengthening the skin barrier.—
Deanna Pai,
Vogue,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Make the hearty and comforting flavors of taco soup a bit more rich with this creamy taco soup recipe.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Dishes like wild halibut with Jimmy Nardello peppers and spaghetti with squash and spinach feel nourishing and comforting, but never boring.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The state appears to now use two doses of the sedative pentobarbital, with the attorneys saying the inmates drown in a rush of fluid into their lungs but are paralyzed and cannot react.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Nitrous oxide is commonly used as an inhaled sedative tool in medical procedures, the Cleveland Clinic explains.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share