as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
after her oral surgery, she was given a prescription for a mild painkiller
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of painkiller
At one site in Lancaster, a 69-year-old man being treated for gangrene died after a nurse gave him a four-drug cocktail that included the painkiller Norco and the sedative Ativan, state investigators reported.
—
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
During the early 2000s, a neck injury sustained in a match led to a reliance on painkillers, which eventually developed into a serious addiction.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Photo illustration by Beck Harlan/NPR When hit with a headache or fever, people often reach for over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as their first line of defense.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
One potential approach is targeting T-regs directly to increase the production of the painkiller enkephalin, which ultimately would benefit both women and men.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
During the early 2000s, a neck injury sustained in a match led to a reliance on painkillers, which eventually developed into a serious addiction.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Photo illustration by Beck Harlan/NPR When hit with a headache or fever, people often reach for over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as their first line of defense.
—Andee Tagle, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
One potential approach is targeting T-regs directly to increase the production of the painkiller enkephalin, which ultimately would benefit both women and men.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for painkiller
Recent Examples of Synonyms for painkiller
Noun
-
Additionally, fentanyl has been used with other illicit drugs including the deadly xylazine, a veterinary sedative.—
Dr. Yifrah Kaminer,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The autopsy report detailed that the sedative effects of the substances contributed to his drowning.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Many NSAIDs and other analgesics are available in topical form, like creams or patches, and can offer similar relief without the potential side effects to your gut.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Peppermint Oil Peppermint oil is a topical analgesic that may help alleviate pain from tense jaw muscles associated with TMJ dysfunction.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Animal tranquilizers enhance the user’s euphoric high from opioids, particularly in those who have developed a tolerance to the opioid.—
C. Michael White,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Sometimes, short-acting tranquilizers can help, but some of these same medicines can also cause sleepwalking.18 When sleepwalking is related to an underlying disorder or medication, treating that condition or switching medications may help.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/painkiller. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share