as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
after her oral surgery, she was given a prescription for a mild painkiller
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Recent Examples of painkiller
Global health authorities rejected the US government’s claim that the popular painkiller acetaminophen, better known as Tylenol in America, causes autism when taken during pregnancy.
—
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Without the backing of clear scientific evidence, the Food and Drug Administration is moving to update drug labeling for the common painkiller to discourage pregnant women from taking it.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Key Takeaways Small doses of caffeine, such as those in common painkillers, can help relieve headache pain.
—Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
The drug is considered by doctors a safe form of pain relief, and is the first-choice painkiller for pregnant women.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Without the backing of clear scientific evidence, the Food and Drug Administration is moving to update drug labeling for the common painkiller to discourage pregnant women from taking it.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
Key Takeaways Small doses of caffeine, such as those in common painkillers, can help relieve headache pain.
—Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
The drug is considered by doctors a safe form of pain relief, and is the first-choice painkiller for pregnant women.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painkiller
Noun
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Texas began solely using pentobarbital, a sedative, for executions in 2012.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
14 Oct. 2025
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Popular since the Soviet days, Validol, a mild sedative sold over the counter, flies off the shelves in tens of millions each year.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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Tylenol’s active ingredient is acetaminophen, a drug that is known as an analgesic, which can help with pain relief.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Spike takes one of Kelson's tranquilizer darts filled with morphine and stabs Samson in the arm with it.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
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Jacintha, a horseback rider, was familiar with ketamine as a horse tranquilizer but had never heard of it as a last-stop mental health treatment for treatment-resistant patients like Lucy, who was diagnosed with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painkiller. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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