-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
painkiller
noun
pain·kill·er
ˈpān-ˌki-lər
variants
or less commonly pain-killer
: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain
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
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) greenlit a new, non-opioid painkiller.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025
In 2019, Advocate Sherman’s emergency room and satellite emergency care locations began enforcing stricter guidelines for prescribing opioid painkillers, in response to the opioid epidemic.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025
Samantha, 50, took the then-unnamed painkiller following a rhinoplasty.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
In 2023, the company’s painkiller produced positive results in a mid-stage trial in diabetes patients suffering from a chronic nerve condition.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for painkiller
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1849, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near painkiller
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painkiller. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on painkiller
Nglish: Translation of painkiller for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of painkiller for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share