painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌki-lər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
variants or less commonly pain-killer
Synonyms of painkillernext
: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain
pain-killing adjective
or painkilling

Examples of painkiller in a Sentence

I took some over-the-counter painkillers for my headache. after her oral surgery, she was given a prescription for a mild painkiller
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Between 2021 and 2022, Reese allegedly received more than $70,000 from Alireza Moheb, a Lafayette dentist who in 2023 pleaded guilty to trading painkiller prescriptions to drug dealers in East Contra Costa for cocaine. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026 Margo’s father, Jinx (Nick Offerman), is a former professional wrestler who formed an addiction to painkillers after too many in-ring injuries. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026 The cocktails lean toward the tropics, with painkillers, frozen piña coladas, and creative rum concoctions like the High Tai’d, a creamy blend of rum, pistachio, and yuzu curaçao. Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026 Health officials said taking the painkiller increased the risk of having a kid with autism, even though the scientific consensus finds no link and untreated fevers carry their own risks to the pregnant person and the neurodevelopment of the fetus. O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for painkiller

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of painkiller was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painkiller. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

painkiller

noun
pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌkil-ər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
: something (as a drug) that relieves pain
painkilling adjective

Medical Definition

painkiller

noun
pain·​kill·​er -ˌkil-ər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
: something (as a drug) that relieves pain
painkilling adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on painkiller

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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