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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of painkiller
The color of the sort of deep bruising normally associated with OSHA violations, Chicago’s uniforms herald long periods of bed rest and a night table groaning from the weight of so many prescription painkillers.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Mohammad Baharlou’s Killing Love (1999), for example, tells the story of a writer who falls, breaks his hand, and, under the haze of pain and painkillers in a hospital bed, slips into the universe of The Blind Owl.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Overdose deaths began steadily climbing in the 1990s with overdoses involving opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths from heroin and — more recently — illicit fentanyl.
—Mike Stobbe, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026
Though cocaine, which was legal in the 19th century, was the vice of many in the book, many other substances make an appearance, including cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol, acid, painkillers and even yellow paint.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Mohammad Baharlou’s Killing Love (1999), for example, tells the story of a writer who falls, breaks his hand, and, under the haze of pain and painkillers in a hospital bed, slips into the universe of The Blind Owl.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Overdose deaths began steadily climbing in the 1990s with overdoses involving opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths from heroin and — more recently — illicit fentanyl.
—Mike Stobbe, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026
Though cocaine, which was legal in the 19th century, was the vice of many in the book, many other substances make an appearance, including cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol, acid, painkillers and even yellow paint.
—Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painkiller
Noun
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The sedative is not typically tested for as it cannot be legally obtained in the United States.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
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Florida’s lethal injections use a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
19 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The feds began cracking down on prescription opioid analgesics (OAs) to combat their overprescribing to people with pain issues.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
19 Dec. 2025
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Some studies suggest lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
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After that, three more were first shot with tranquilizer darts, identified as adults, and then euthanized.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
16 Dec. 2025
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Experts note that facilities housing primates conduct routine drills and maintain tranquilizer equipment for rare escape events such as this one.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
17 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painkiller. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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