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 film is based on the real-life story of Mark Kerr, a former college wrestler who battled trauma and an addiction to painkillers during the early years of the UFC.
—
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025
Key Takeaways Small doses of caffeine, such as those in common painkillers, can help relieve headache pain.
—Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
Should pregnant people opt for other OTC painkillers or fever reducers—which are not recommended during pregnancy—the outcomes could be just as bad, if not worse, than pushing through without treatment.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Sep. 2025
The film chronicles Kerr's rise and peak, including his struggles with addiction to painkillers, roller coaster relationship with Dawn Staples, and the lowest points of his career.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
In an effort to boost new drugs, the FDA released new guidelines for non-opioid painkillers last week.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Carroll County Former Carroll County Sheriff Jamie Kinman pleaded guilty to stealing painkillers, including from a terminal cancer patient.
—Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
The painkillers had caused an upset stomach.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
The biopic depicts Kerr’s career from his glory days as a pioneer of MMA and UFC to his struggles with his addiction to painkillers.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025
Key Takeaways Small doses of caffeine, such as those in common painkillers, can help relieve headache pain.
—Emily Brown, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025
Should pregnant people opt for other OTC painkillers or fever reducers—which are not recommended during pregnancy—the outcomes could be just as bad, if not worse, than pushing through without treatment.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Sep. 2025
The film chronicles Kerr's rise and peak, including his struggles with addiction to painkillers, roller coaster relationship with Dawn Staples, and the lowest points of his career.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
In an effort to boost new drugs, the FDA released new guidelines for non-opioid painkillers last week.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Carroll County Former Carroll County Sheriff Jamie Kinman pleaded guilty to stealing painkillers, including from a terminal cancer patient.
—Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
The painkillers had caused an upset stomach.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
The biopic depicts Kerr’s career from his glory days as a pioneer of MMA and UFC to his struggles with his addiction to painkillers.
—Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 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 6 Oct. 2025.
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