opiates

plural of opiate
as in narcotics
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

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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 opiates Naltrexone was effective in keeping most patients off of opiates, the study found. Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026 Investigators said Summers was using his phone extensively before the crash, driving 73-75 mph, and tested positive for cocaine and opiates. Chadd Cripe. Produced With Ai Assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026 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 So far this year, alcohol has become EPICC’s leading referral category, followed by methamphetamine and opiates. Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither? Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Mar. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opiates
narcotics
Noun
  • Rocha Moya faces federal charges, including narcotics importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, along with another conspiracy count.
    CBS News, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The current and former high-ranking government and law enforcement officials are alleged to have partnered with the Sinaloa cartel to distribute massive quantities of narcotics to the United States.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opiates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opiates. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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