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
The cocktails lean toward the tropics, with painkillers, frozen piña coladas, and creative rum concoctions like the High Tai’d, a creamy blend of rum, pistachio, and yuzu curaçao.
—
Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
Thomas Sandgaard started a foundation to help fund alternatives to painkillers and produced a movie on the opioid crisis.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
The crackdown highlights divisions between health officials seeking to prevent deaths and users viewing kratom as an affordable alternative to prescription painkillers.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways Turmeric is a flavorful spice that contains natural painkillers, such as curcumin, which has been used to manage arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle and nerve pain.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
Eric Richins had Lyme disease and was addicted to painkillers, Nester said.
—CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
The character is haunted by childhood trauma and addicted to painkillers, and in one early scene, the masked man takes his shotgun and hides in a motel room closet, lying down and seeking comfort.
—Brian Truitt, 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
Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
Thomas Sandgaard started a foundation to help fund alternatives to painkillers and produced a movie on the opioid crisis.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Mar. 2026
The crackdown highlights divisions between health officials seeking to prevent deaths and users viewing kratom as an affordable alternative to prescription painkillers.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways Turmeric is a flavorful spice that contains natural painkillers, such as curcumin, which has been used to manage arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle and nerve pain.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2026
Eric Richins had Lyme disease and was addicted to painkillers, Nester said.
—CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
The character is haunted by childhood trauma and addicted to painkillers, and in one early scene, the masked man takes his shotgun and hides in a motel room closet, lying down and seeking comfort.
—Brian Truitt, 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painkillers
analgesics
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
Cite this Entry
“Painkillers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painkillers. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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