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
  • And in the Dominican Republic, DIY beatmakers disassembled and sped up reggaeton’s dembow riddim into hypnotic dance floor experience, paving the way for crossover sensations like El Alfa and Tokischa.
    — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Each feels expansively lush without ever losing that genuinely old school rock and roll momentum, in large part due to the hypnotic drumming of Adam Shumski and inventive lead guitars of Dan Ryan.
    — Brendan Hay, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Brian Peralta Cabrera, 18, of Queens, was charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury.
    — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
  • In one incident, prosecutors say Maduro and Flores ordered members of their security details to torture a law enforcement official suspected of stealing proceeds from narcotics trafficking.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 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 19 Oct. 2026.

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