1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Fran Tirado, Them, 20 Dec. 2024
Regional anesthesia involves injecting local anesthetics near nerves to block pain signals to the brain.
—Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug, that contains psychedelic contents.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
Perhaps that was a response, an emotional anesthetic of sorts, to the horror of the first few years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Fran Tirado, Them, 20 Dec. 2024
Regional anesthesia involves injecting local anesthetics near nerves to block pain signals to the brain.
—Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will typically administer the anesthetic propofol, which is a fast-acting drug that will knock you out immediately, but keep you out for only 15 minutes or so, says Salama.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug, that contains psychedelic contents.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
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Super Bowl reporter found dead had sedative in his system, police say Wife of powerful cartel boss wanted by U.S. is released from prison In: New Mexico Death Gene Hackman Alex Sundby Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com.—
Alex Sundby,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is used as a sedative in medicine.—
Elizabeth Chuck,
NBC News,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The bill permits the Treasury Department secretary to take action if financial institutions outside the United States are suspected of facilitating money laundering for narcotics purposes.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Feb. 2025
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Patron Sanchez, who’s charged with continuing criminal enterprise, narcotics trafficking and firearms charges, faces the possibility of mandatory life in prison if he’s convicted.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The term is an adjective that has also become a noun, describing one of the most common analgesic procedures available in modern medicine.—
Stephen C. George,
Discover Magazine,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The analgesic drugs that are typically prescribed for short-term pain—such as following an injury or surgery—work by either reducing the inflammation that causes pain or changing how the brain perceives pain.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Parker Posey is especially good as a homemaker, Violet Ratliff, who arrives with a cache of tranquilizers—these are soon being pilfered and swallowed by her husband, Timothy (Jason Isaacs), a businessman about to be exposed for fraud.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
15 Feb. 2025
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He's been shot twice by bullets and other times by tranquilizer darts.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Tolerance is a side effect of many medications, such as opiates and benzodiazepines, which are often used to help treat pain and anxiety.—
Femi Aremu,
Verywell Health,
3 Feb. 2025
-
A day later, a social worker told the new mother: The baby’s meconium — or first bowel movement — had tested positive for opiates.—
Shoshana Walter,
USA TODAY,
11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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On the record, audiophiles can hear celestial and gentle percussion, thumping bass, hypnotic synths, Gray’s own vocals, a buildup that crescendos into a drop that sparks pure elation, symphonic sounds and more.—
Lisa Kocay,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The somber drama has a cumulative spell, intensified by its hypnotic visual command and an atmospheric principal setting on Germany’s Hallig Islands.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The ferocity of the 4 Nations tourney has turned the concept of a bloodless, anodyne All-Star break on its ear.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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Early in 2021, this new group issued a broad, if somewhat anodyne, report that reaffirmed the 2015 norms, as well as the relevance of international law to cyberspace.—
Joseph S. Nye Jr.,
Foreign Affairs,
14 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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