: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt (such as a hydrochloride or a sulfate) as an analgesic and sedative
Examples of morphine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Fentanyl itself is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.
—
Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 May 2026
By the end of October, the morphine removed her personality.
—Eli Raphael, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
In 2020, O'Neal had a near-fatal stroke after overdosing on morphine, opiates and pain medication.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 May 2026
There are also more nitazenes and orphines, synthetic opioids that can be significantly more potent than fentanyl (which is far more potent than morphine) — or not.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
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Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 May 2026
By the end of October, the morphine removed her personality.
—Eli Raphael, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026
In 2020, O'Neal had a near-fatal stroke after overdosing on morphine, opiates and pain medication.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 10 May 2026
There are also more nitazenes and orphines, synthetic opioids that can be significantly more potent than fentanyl (which is far more potent than morphine) — or not.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for morphine
Cite this Entry
“Morphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morphine. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
morphine
noun
mor·phine
ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 
: a bitter white habit-forming narcotic drug made from opium and used especially to deaden pain
Etymology
derived from Morpheus "Greek god of dreams"
Medical Definition
morphine
noun
mor·phine
ˈmȯr-ˌfēn
: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C17H19NO3)2·H2SO4·5H2O or hydrated hydrochloride C17H19NO3·HCl·3H2O as an analgesic and sedative
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