anesthetic 1 of 2

noun

Definition of anestheticnext
1
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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2
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

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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
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 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
Adjective
The singer's 2009 death was officially attributed to the legal anesthetic propofol. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 18 Mar. 2026 Part of what makes leeches so effective at blood-sucking is that their saliva has uniquely anesthetic and anticoagulant properties, so they’ve been used for thousands of years for folk medicines in Asia and Eastern Europe. — Blair Braverman, Outside, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
  1. sedative
  2. narcotic
  3. analgesic
  4. tranquilizer
  5. depressant
  6. opiate
  7. hypnotic
Noun
  • All Florida executions are carried out by lethal injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
    — CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • In addition, a sedative such as diazepam (Valium) is often prescribed to reduce anxiety.
    — Michele Promaulayko, Allure, 17 June 2026
Definition of sedative
Noun
  • Youssef alleged the property later became associated with gang activity, narcotics activity, prostitution and violence.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • In Flossie’s new deal with Raq, her ladies now also deliver narcotics to buyers.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 3 July 2026
Definition of narcotic
Adjective
  • The compounds in kratom show promise for their analgesic properties.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
  • The classic pisco sour is unmissable, as is the island cocktail made with pisco, eucalyptus syrup, and wild murta, a local antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic berry used by indigenous communities in traditional medicine and food.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of analgesic
Noun
  • Other monkeys, including some of the larger and more dominant macaques, had to be subdued with tranquilizer darts before they could be captured.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • The worrisome drug withdrawal popping up in jails A powerful tranquilizer has started to accompany fentanyl in the country’s illicit opioid supply, and jails are struggling to handle the drug’s excruciating, complicated withdrawal symptoms.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 26 June 2026
Definition of tranquilizer
Adjective
  • 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
  • The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Definition of depressant
Noun
  • So far this year, alcohol has become EPICC’s leading referral category, followed by methamphetamine and opiates.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
  • Once drug use crossed class and racial lines, the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act was passed in 1914, a federal law criminalizing the sale and use of opiates.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 May 2026
Definition of opiate
Adjective
  • Plus, all of the songs put you in a nearly hypnotic trance that forces you to count in your head or tap your foot along to the beats.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 2 July 2026
  • There’s something hypnotic and ritualistic in it, something that can become almost shamanic, almost therapeutic — like a sound bath.
    — Alma Rota, Rolling Stone, 17 June 2026
Definition of hypnotic

Browse Nearby Words

anesthesiologists
anesthetic
anesthetics
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Cite this Entry

“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on anesthetic

Nglish: Translation of anesthetic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anesthetic

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