as in sedatives
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 painkillers
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
Farmer Archie seems inclined to put her down, but Siegfried goes behind James’s back and gives Archie painkillers from his bag.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
This type is directly caused by an underlying health condition, like kidney disease or sleep apnea, or taking medications, like certain painkillers or birth control pills.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2025
Tylenol with codeine, for example, is considered a Schedule III drug, as are certain other prescription drugs like Valium, painkillers, appetite suppressants, and some steroid and hormone medications.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
The money is intended to repair the damage caused by prescription painkillers that helped fuel a generational crisis.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Dec. 2025
Refresh your knowledge on safe and effective use of common painkillers with these tips from health professionals.
—Malaka Gharib, NPR, 10 Dec. 2025
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
Farmer Archie seems inclined to put her down, but Siegfried goes behind James’s back and gives Archie painkillers from his bag.
—Alice Burton, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026
This type is directly caused by an underlying health condition, like kidney disease or sleep apnea, or taking medications, like certain painkillers or birth control pills.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2025
Tylenol with codeine, for example, is considered a Schedule III drug, as are certain other prescription drugs like Valium, painkillers, appetite suppressants, and some steroid and hormone medications.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
The money is intended to repair the damage caused by prescription painkillers that helped fuel a generational crisis.
—Kelly Puente, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Dec. 2025
Refresh your knowledge on safe and effective use of common painkillers with these tips from health professionals.
—Malaka Gharib, NPR, 10 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painkillers
analgesics
Noun
-
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
-
The drug breaks ground as the first and only in a category of non-opioid analgesics to treat fibromyalgia.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Painkillers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painkillers. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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