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
The couple has faced challenges throughout their relationship, including Dane going into rehab in 2011 for an addiction to painkillers after a sports injury.
—
Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Long-term use of over-the-counter painkillers can lead to kidney damage or stomach ulcers.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Before his departure from the show in 2012, Dane went to rehab for an addiction to painkillers.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Then came recurrent ankle injuries that required him to compete with painkillers to get back into form for these Games.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Long-term use of over-the-counter painkillers can lead to kidney damage or stomach ulcers.
—Aria Bendix, NBC news, 20 Feb. 2026
Before his departure from the show in 2012, Dane went to rehab for an addiction to painkillers.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Then came recurrent ankle injuries that required him to compete with painkillers to get back into form for these Games.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painkiller
Noun
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All Florida executions are carried out via lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
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All Florida executions are carried out by injecting a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Microorganisms in thermal mud produce a variety of compounds with therapeutic properties, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics, the study found.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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Turmeric may have effects similar to those of analgesics, medicines used to relieve pain.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Those selling the drugs are replacing them with a less lethal, but very strong tranquilizer, called medetomidine, which results in severe withdrawal symptoms.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
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In many areas, the sheer toxicity of street drugs and the presence of xylazine, an animal tranquilizer associated with severe skin wounds that can require amputation, has led many users to avoid syringes at all costs.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painkiller. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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