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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anodyne
Steven Levy, Wired News, 22 Aug. 2025
American Eagle will probably create a more anodyne campaign to follow this one.
—Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 13 Mar. 2020
The result of all that rulemaking and political sensitivity is the anodyne Covid-19.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Adjective
Even Coldplay’s anodyne frontman Chris Martin couldn’t ignore their response.
—Steven Levy, Wired News, 22 Aug. 2025
American Eagle will probably create a more anodyne campaign to follow this one.
—Richard Kestenbaum, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Ten years ago, lazy auto writers used the Toyota Camry as shorthand for anodyne transportation, a car for people who think of cars as appliances.
—Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 13 Mar. 2020
The result of all that rulemaking and political sensitivity is the anodyne Covid-19.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodyne
Adjective
-
While Penicillium species are mostly harmless and often useful – cheesemaking, penicillin – some Aspergillus strains are harmful to human health.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Sep. 2025
-
While some lapses are temporary and harmless, others may signal a deeper issue.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At higher doses, kratom can be used as a sedative and potentially cause psychosis.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Yet, unlike cortisol, oxytocin will have an effect on your body akin to that of a sedative.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Cabello added that Venezuela has been actively combating drug trafficking, claiming authorities had seized over 60 tons of narcotics in 2025 alone.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Sheriff’s Deputy Jeffrey Chu, Argo’s handler, and Deputy Marcus Perez shared information about the 18 dogs on various K9 patrols and answered questions before Argo wowed the audience by sniffing three boxes before sitting next to the one containing the narcotic.—
Maureen Robertson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Lee Archinal, also a senior threat hunt analyst at Intel 471, explained that EDR data with short retention makes benign but rare behaviors — like opening Word once a month — look like anomalies.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
These early shifts—less COVID vaccination; fewer options for flu, MMR, and chickenpox vaccines; and, perhaps soon, delays to the hepatitis-B schedule—may seem benign enough.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Its pill, called Tonyma, is a nonopioid analgesic designed to be absorbed into the bloodstream quickly.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
These chemicals can be even more potent than other opiates and produce comparable hallucinogenic effects, increasing the desirability of the cut fentanyl on the market.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But Huizenga has yet to commit to running again in his somewhat safe House seat in the western part of the state.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Musso assures Dwight that Margaret is safe and back at her ranch.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Abby is portrayed as a naive and innocent receptionist, but is edgy.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
-
However, last week, the Civilian Complaint Review Board voted to overrule the investigator who found Alongi and Cianfrocco innocent, finding the pair of officers in violation of using excessive force and abusing their authority.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share