1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
he used total immersion in his job as an anesthetic for the empty shell that his marriage had become
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in analgesic
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Perry died in 2023 at age 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine with drowning a contributing factor.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
One method that doctors use to help patients involves injections of anesthetic to the nerves that control pain, a procedure called a nerve block.
—NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026
Slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The suit alleges that surgeon Dare Ajibade gave Easley an excessive amount of the anesthetic lidocaine during the 6½-hour procedure and failed to recognize persistent vomiting afterward as a sign of toxicity.
—Fred Schulte, Miami Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Perry died in 2023 at age 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine with drowning a contributing factor.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
The wrecked car was overturned with the nude model sleeping inside—playing dead with help from a mild sedative.—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Curry was injected with an unknown substance, likely a sedative, by EMS.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The warrant was issued as part of an investigation into narcotics violations, police said.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
According to court documents approving his pre-trial detention, Woods was already a felon and was on electronic monitoring in a federal narcotics case at the time of the shooting.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The classic pisco sour is unmissable, as is the island cocktail made with pisco, eucalyptus syrup, and wild murta, a local antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic berry used by indigenous communities in traditional medicine and food.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Epibatidine intrigued researchers for decades and was once highly sought after as a potential analgesic many times more powerful than morphine.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In Ohio, the recent trend among people who use fentanyl is to find pills spiked with an animal tranquilizer that causes severe addiction, said Beckman, of the Hamilton County Quick Response Team.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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According to court records, a powerful animal tranquilizer known as BAM — a combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine — was found in her bone marrow.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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Offering 99 percent accuracy for five different drugs, this drug test has exceptional sensitivity for detecting opiates in urine.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The gunmetal details add an edgy contrast without dimming the base's hypnotic shine.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Each piece of wood, in varying shades and shapes, was plopped down one by one to bring the piece to life, resulting in an almost hypnotic design that shows off true marquetry mastery.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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