opiate 1 of 2

Definition of opiatenext

opiate

2 of 2

noun

as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security a cultural critic who argues that the Internet has now joined television as an opiate of the American people

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 opiate
Adjective
Some researchers, concerned by reports of antidepressant withdrawal, suggest that the underlying mechanisms are similar to those faced by people suffering from alcohol and opiate withdrawal. David Cox, NBC news, 30 Nov. 2025 Taylor has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disease, and an opiate use disorder. Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
Noun
Two weeks prior, Francisco Manzo had started detoxing himself from opiates and was still experiencing symptoms of acute withdrawal syndrome and had not slept well, the attorney said. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026 But Clarke is worried about patients losing out on things like steroid injections, which help manage pain without opiates or surgery. Jillian Taylor, StateImpact, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for opiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for opiate
Adjective
  • The prose is hypnotic, all the more so for its many digressions and parentheses, unveiling tiny set pieces like so many Fabergé eggs.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
  • The race there begins somberly in the museum before runners bound up one flight of stairs into a hallway that leads into the main stairwell; from there, the steps settle into continuous, shallow right turns providing a repetitive, hypnotic cadence.
    Michelle Sinclair Colman, Curbed, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • The investigation allegedly found that Canada, Coley and others orchestrated the street level distribution of narcotics through other members of the conspiracy, officials said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
  • Part of the movie is set in New York’s downtown clubland and Firstman uses all kinds of lingo to describe various narcotics.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Naloxone, the ingredient in Narcan, is an antidote for opioid overdoses, but because xylazine is not an opioid, the emergency medicine only stops the effects of fentanyl, not the tranquilizer, making those who overdose more likely to have lethal repercussions.
    Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 17 May 2026
  • As the tranquilizer kicked in, the bear climbed higher into the tree before stumbling down a branch, eventually losing its grip completely and falling into the net.
    Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The medical examiner ruled ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death, and drowning was a secondary cause.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
  • The patient wouldn’t have had the benefit of modern anesthetics, but archaeological traces at other sites suggest Neanderthals knew about medicinal plants like chamomile and yarrow, as well as antiseptics like birch tar.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Opiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/opiate. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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