opiate 1 of 2

Definition of opiatenext
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security a cultural critic who argues that the Internet has now joined television as an opiate of the American people

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 opiate
Adjective
Later, the woman’s daughter was born with opiate dependence and had to stay in the hospital for several months after birth. — Adeline Goss, New Yorker, 11 June 2026 From the late nineteenth century into the twentieth century, most opiate addicts were middle- and upper-middle-class (white) women. — Literary Hub, 22 May 2026
Noun
Kratom helped Getz get work, build a life, and ultimately get off of opiates. — David Manheim, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026 Because poppy seeds come from the same plant species used to produce opiates, consuming large amounts can sometimes lead to detectable levels of opiate compounds in urine tests. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for opiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opiate
Adjective
  • Combining established research on what makes babies happy with the results of infant focus groups, the catchy melody, walking bassline and playful lyrics are almost hypnotic, stopping nascent meltdowns in their tracks.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The hypnotic moment when cream meets iced coffee, bottled up in a manicure.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Somoza and Crystal then moved to Ahwatukee, Arizona, to live with her boyfriend, narcotics detective Avelino Tamala.
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The group’s advocacy for narcotics was both far-out—the idea that Class As might ever be administered clinically or therapeutically by the NHS was a fringe pursuit—and shockingly comprehensive.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Authorities have issued bear-hunting permits across eight provinces and are seeking to procure tranquilizer dart guns to support rangers in rural areas.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Her husband hurriedly shut the door and begged her to see a doctor for a tranquilizer prescription.
    — Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The day of the alleged assault, Newell and Ingalls began passing around ketamine, dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, according to the lawsuit.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The protocol involved an administration of an anesthetic, sodium thiopental, followed by pancuronium bromide, a paralytic agent, and finally by potassium chloride to stop the heart, all in much higher doses than they’re typically used.
    — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opiate. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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