as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
the otherwise anodyne comments sounded quite inflammatory when taken out of context
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist prescribed an anodyne after the root canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
as an anodyne for the stress and superficiality of the modern world, there's nothing better than reading a literary classic of substance and insight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of anodyne
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025
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
Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Adjective
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
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
Noun
The result of all that rulemaking and political sensitivity is the anodyne Covid-19.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodyne
Adjective
-
The texters have multiple objectives by sending seemingly harmless missives to your phone.—
Kevin Williams,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Some plots involved the unruly but harmless Darling family, depicted as hillbillies who seemed alien to even the small-town residents of Mayberry.—
Alice George,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Additionally, fentanyl has been used with other illicit drugs including the deadly xylazine, a veterinary sedative.—
Dr. Yifrah Kaminer,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The autopsy report detailed that the sedative effects of the substances contributed to his drowning.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Like many newcomers, Bustillo went through a rotation at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, starting with the appellate division and then moving into narcotics.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Not the first time Thursday’s speech was not the first time Kennedy had been upfront about his previous struggles with narcotics.—
Sandy Mazza,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Inflation still remains a concern because the full impact of tariffs is yet to be felt, however, at least the underlying trends (e.g. non-tariff related inflation) seems benign at this time.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The hospital determined that five cases were benign brain tumors of three different types, and six cases were determined not to be brain tumors at all but other health concerns, according to the memo.—
Audrey Conklin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Peppermint Oil Peppermint oil is a topical analgesic that may help alleviate pain from tense jaw muscles associated with TMJ dysfunction.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Participants who’d been issued at least two acetaminophen prescriptions within six months – and not in combination with other analgesics like codeine – were defined as exposed to acetaminophen.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The child also tested positive for exposure to opiates.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
-
During a search of his vehicle, officers allegedly located an off-white powder substance which tested positive for opiates along with two other substances which tested positive for cocaine, police said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Be aware that sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes, and tents are not safe alternatives.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Experts, however, maintain that flying is safe still.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Since 1973, at least 200 innocent people have been exonerated due to wrongful convictions.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
-
In a nearly 400-page petition to the California Court of Appeals, filed Friday night, the LA Innocence Project argued Scott Peterson is innocent and his conviction should be overturned.—
Santina Leuci,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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