as in opiates
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
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Recent Examples of narcotics
The search warrant was issued for a residence at 191 Talbot Avenue as a part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
—
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
The rhetoric, particularly about narcotics, aroused skepticism.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Ventura County deputies seized 92 pounds of drugs, hundreds of oxycodone pills and 14 guns during a narcotics bust in December.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Police later searched Wright's car after a police canine alerted for the possible presence of narcotics, the affidavit said.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
Nicolás Maduro had long been accused of facilitating large-scale narcotics trafficking into the United States, with grave consequences for American security and public health.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Those common problems are the drug trade — Colombia is one of the world’s leading producers of coca, which is used to make cocaine, and the United States the largest consumer of the drug — and gangs that enable the cross-border flow of people, narcotics and other illicit goods.
—Erika Angulo, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
The cartel, made up of military officers and senior Maduro administration officials, controlled most smuggling operations in Venezuela with the FARC in Colombia and Sinaloa and Zeta narcotics organizations in Mexico.
—Jay Weaver
january 8, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Police also made two arrests on failure to appear in court warrants and charged three men with sale of narcotics, Vafiades said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2026
The rhetoric, particularly about narcotics, aroused skepticism.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Ventura County deputies seized 92 pounds of drugs, hundreds of oxycodone pills and 14 guns during a narcotics bust in December.
—Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
Police later searched Wright's car after a police canine alerted for the possible presence of narcotics, the affidavit said.
—Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 10 Jan. 2026
Nicolás Maduro had long been accused of facilitating large-scale narcotics trafficking into the United States, with grave consequences for American security and public health.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Those common problems are the drug trade — Colombia is one of the world’s leading producers of coca, which is used to make cocaine, and the United States the largest consumer of the drug — and gangs that enable the cross-border flow of people, narcotics and other illicit goods.
—Erika Angulo, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
The cartel, made up of military officers and senior Maduro administration officials, controlled most smuggling operations in Venezuela with the FARC in Colombia and Sinaloa and Zeta narcotics organizations in Mexico.
—Jay Weaver
january 8, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026
Police also made two arrests on failure to appear in court warrants and charged three men with sale of narcotics, Vafiades said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotics
Noun
-
At the dawn of the 20th century, American medicines were often laced with alcohol, opiates, or narcotics.—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
11 Jan. 2026
-
ProPublica reviewed cutoff levels used to confirm the presence of common drugs, including opiates, meth, THC and cocaine, as cited in court records, labs’ contracts with government agencies and scientific journals, as well as in interviews with toxicologists.—
Lucas Waldron,
ProPublica,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Toward the beginning, students in the pilot learn about local anesthetics, handling instruments and positioning patients.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Nov. 2025
-
He was given anesthetics to ease his pain.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
25 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Narcotics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotics. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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