methamphetamine
noun
meth·am·phet·amine
ˌme-tham-ˈfe-tə-ˌmēn 
-thəm-,
-mən
: a synthetic or semisynthetic compound C10H15N that stimulates the central nervous system, is used medically in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride C10H15N·HCl especially to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity, and that is often abused illicitly for its stimulant properties
… methamphetamine is a powerful addictive stimulant whose longtime consumers tend to suffer from paranoia, depression, hallucinations, and violent rages.—
William Finnegan
William Finnegancalled also meth, methedrine, speed
compare crystal methExamples of methamphetamine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kroth pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The United Nations has said in recent years that organized crime groups trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine have expanded their presence in the Pacific.
—CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Drug dealers mix fentanyl, because of its potency and low cost, with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal dose, according to the DEA.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Federal prosecutors say Katzin ran a ring of drug dealers who peddled fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin to customers throughout the city and Sklar was one of her underlings.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for methamphetamine
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Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The United Nations has said in recent years that organized crime groups trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine have expanded their presence in the Pacific.
—CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Drug dealers mix fentanyl, because of its potency and low cost, with other drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine, which increases the likelihood of a fatal dose, according to the DEA.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Federal prosecutors say Katzin ran a ring of drug dealers who peddled fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin to customers throughout the city and Sklar was one of her underlings.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for methamphetamine
Cite this Entry
“Methamphetamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methamphetamine. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
methamphetamine
noun
meth·am·phet·amine
ˌmeth-am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn
: a drug derived from amphetamine that is often used illegally as a stimulant of the central nervous system
Medical Definition
methamphetamine
noun
meth·am·phet·amine
ˌmeth-am-ˈfet-ə-ˌmēn, ˌmeth-əm-, -mən
: an amine C10H15N that is used medically in the form of its crystalline hydrochloride C10H15N·HCl especially to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obesity and that is often abused illicitly as a stimulant
called also meth, methedrine, methylamphetamine, speed
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