Synonyms of opiate

opiate 1 of 2

adjective

as in hypnotic

tending to cause sleep

morphine is an opiate drug

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hypnotic
• narcotic
• soothing
• soporific
• drowsy
• sleepy
• somnolent
• depressant
• slumberous
• hypnotizing
• comforting
• sedative
• relaxant
• quieting
• somniferous
• dulling
• analgesic
• tranquilizing
• anesthetic
• relaxing
• calming
• settling
• restful
• deadening
• numbing
• stupefying
• benumbing
• anesthetizing
• lulling
• pacifying
• mesmerizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stimulant
• stimulating
• waking
• rousing
• arousing
• energizing
• bracing
• refreshing
• reviving
• stimulatory
• stimulative
• restorative
• awakening
• invigorating
• wakening

opiate

2 of 2

noun

ˈō-pē-ət 

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

• narcotic
• tranquilizer
• anesthetic
• sedative
• anodyne
• hypnotic
• security blanket
• palliative
• pacifier
• soporific

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of opiate

Adjective

Naloxone, the active drug in Narcan, is only effective on opioids and not on stimulants like cocaine, which would suggest the substance Dick used was adulterated with an opiate such as fentanyl. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026

Of those, 38,514 were associated with fentanyl, a synthetic opiate, a 34% decrease from the year prior, according to the report. — Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 9 Feb. 2026

Noun

Offering 99 percent accuracy for five different drugs, this drug test has exceptional sensitivity for detecting opiates in urine. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026

The illicit love story between the money launderer and the fentanyl trafficker working together to shower New England with deadly opiates came crashing down under the weight of a multi-year federal investigation. — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026