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
When his mother, Dianne, who is a nurse, warned him about the dangers of becoming addicted to painkillers, Strong quickly stopped taking them and stuck with Tylenol.
—
Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Julien Chorier, the sports director for the UTMB World Series and an accomplished trail runner himself, admitted race officials are concerned about runners using certain painkillers during races, but remaining consistent with WADA is more important for now.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
The same thing applies to other types of pharmaceuticals such as antidepressants, painkillers and blood-pressure-lowering drugs.
—New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
Overdose deaths fell in 45 states 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, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Other common painkillers, like ibuprofen, can reduce blood flow to the baby and lead to developmental issues.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Acetaminophen is a critical tool for physicians, the go-to drug to use during pregnancy because other commonly available painkillers, such as Advil (ibuprofen), and opioid medications can put a fetus at risk of kidney damage, preterm birth, or even stillbirth.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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
Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Julien Chorier, the sports director for the UTMB World Series and an accomplished trail runner himself, admitted race officials are concerned about runners using certain painkillers during races, but remaining consistent with WADA is more important for now.
—Dan England, Outside, 5 Feb. 2026
The same thing applies to other types of pharmaceuticals such as antidepressants, painkillers and blood-pressure-lowering drugs.
—New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2026
Overdose deaths fell in 45 states 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, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Other common painkillers, like ibuprofen, can reduce blood flow to the baby and lead to developmental issues.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 17 Jan. 2026
Acetaminophen is a critical tool for physicians, the go-to drug to use during pregnancy because other commonly available painkillers, such as Advil (ibuprofen), and opioid medications can put a fetus at risk of kidney damage, preterm birth, or even stillbirth.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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
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 6 Feb. 2026.
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