as in opiates
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done
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Recent Examples of narcotics
The warrant was issued as part of an investigation into narcotics violations, police said.
—
Mike Darnay, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In May 2023 in New Haven federal court, he was sentenced to 60 months in prison for narcotics trafficking, federal officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Wrench attacks, Redbord said, are in some ways a natural evolution of crimes like robbery and narcotics trafficking.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Conley had a police dog brought in, which revealed the presence of narcotics.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Such vessels are called narco submarines, semi-submersible craft used to ship narcotics across sea waters.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a news release, a joint narcotics investigation led to Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducting a traffic stop on a semi tractor-trailer March 30.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
At the same time, CBP reported a surge in drug seizures after agents confiscating more than 79,000 pounds of narcotics nationwide last month, the highest monthly total since October 2021.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Years in the making At the center of the prosecution is a sweeping federal indictment that paints a stark picture of Venezuela’s upper echelons of power, alleging that for more than two decades the country’s leadership turned the machinery of the state into a vehicle for narcotics trafficking.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Mike Darnay, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
In May 2023 in New Haven federal court, he was sentenced to 60 months in prison for narcotics trafficking, federal officials said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Apr. 2026
Wrench attacks, Redbord said, are in some ways a natural evolution of crimes like robbery and narcotics trafficking.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Conley had a police dog brought in, which revealed the presence of narcotics.
—Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Such vessels are called narco submarines, semi-submersible craft used to ship narcotics across sea waters.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
According to a news release, a joint narcotics investigation led to Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducting a traffic stop on a semi tractor-trailer March 30.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
At the same time, CBP reported a surge in drug seizures after agents confiscating more than 79,000 pounds of narcotics nationwide last month, the highest monthly total since October 2021.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026
Years in the making At the center of the prosecution is a sweeping federal indictment that paints a stark picture of Venezuela’s upper echelons of power, alleging that for more than two decades the country’s leadership turned the machinery of the state into a vehicle for narcotics trafficking.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for narcotics
Noun
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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
Noun
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Meanwhile, one of Iran’s largest producers of anti-cancer drugs and anesthetics was hit on Tuesday, state media reported.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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Modern medicine — with its new anesthetics and vaccines and innovative equipment — emerged around this time.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Narcotics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/narcotics. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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