ANESTHETIC Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

anesthetic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of anesthetic

as in sedative

something (as a drug) that relieves pain the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

anesthetic

2 of 2

adjective

as in analgesic

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 anesthetic

Noun

Jackson insisted the physicians administering her treatments used a general anesthetic to render her unconscious. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 The second drug, an anesthetic, would place her into a deep coma. — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The actor had been taking the surgical anesthetic ketamine legally for depression, an increasingly common off-label use. — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026 The album’s ideal love is anesthetic, a script for surviving daily chaos and tragedy that doesn’t require reciprocation. — Daniel Felsenthal, Pitchfork, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anesthetic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic

Noun

Executions in the state are carried out through the injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
In 1961, however, studies in animals revealed that clozapine acts primarily as a sedative and exerts its effects without inducing muscle rigidity, as previous antipsychotics had.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sedative

Noun

Somoza and Crystal then moved to Ahwatukee, Arizona, to live with her boyfriend, narcotics detective Avelino Tamala.

— Kerry Breen, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
The group’s advocacy for narcotics was both far-out—the idea that Class As might ever be administered clinically or therapeutically by the NHS was a fringe pursuit—and shockingly comprehensive.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of narcotic

Adjective

Laboratory and animal studies have shown that butterfly pea plant extracts have antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, diuretic, antidepressant, and memory-boosting properties.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
The compounds in kratom show promise for their analgesic properties.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

Definition of analgesic

Noun

Authorities have issued bear-hunting permits across eight provinces and are seeking to procure tranquilizer dart guns to support rangers in rural areas.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Her husband hurriedly shut the door and begged her to see a doctor for a tranquilizer prescription.

— Elvira Navarro, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of tranquilizer

Adjective

Clancy’s psychiatrist already took the stand to discuss the defendant’s anxiety in September, which turned into insomnia in October, after she was prescribed the anti-depressant Zoloft.

— Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
At the time of the 1998 murder-suicide, Brynn had cocaine, alcohol and a prescription anti-depressant in her system, The New York Times reported.

— Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Definition of depressant

Noun

Encore likens bad breakups to immunocompromisation and kicking opiates.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
The post showed tests failed to find traces of amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, ecstasy, opiates and buprenorphine, a prescription opioid.

— James Horncastle, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of opiate

Adjective

Combining established research on what makes babies happy with the results of infant focus groups, the catchy melody, walking bassline and playful lyrics are almost hypnotic, stopping nascent meltdowns in their tracks.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
The hypnotic moment when cream meets iced coffee, bottled up in a manicure.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of hypnotic

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“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of anesthetic

noun

adjective

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