an·es·thet·ic
ˌa-nəs-ˈthe-tik 
1
: of, relating to, or capable of producing anesthesia
2
: lacking awareness or sensitivity
was anesthetic to their feelings
1
: a substance that produces anesthesia
2
: something that brings relief : palliative
Synonyms
Examples of anesthetic in a Sentence
Noun
The doctor gave him the stitches without an anesthetic.
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
Recent Examples on the Web
Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
The researchers are currently exploring whether other anesthetic drugs achieve the same effect by different means.
—New Atlas, 19 July 2024
Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Chavez is one of five defendants, including another doctor, accused of procuring and supplying ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, to Perry during the final weeks of his life.
—Stephanie Fuerte, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic 
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Adjective
Like many other women she's since encountered, Schwartz posted online to share her traumatic experience, asking why women’s pain has been normalized in gynecological procedures to the extent that no anesthetic or laughing gas is offered for relief.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
The researchers are currently exploring whether other anesthetic drugs achieve the same effect by different means.
—New Atlas, 19 July 2024
Noun
Musk has spoken openly in the past about his use of prescription Ketamine, an anesthetic that has gained interest from doctors and researchers for its potential to treat depression and anxiety.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024
Chavez is one of five defendants, including another doctor, accused of procuring and supplying ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, to Perry during the final weeks of his life.
—Stephanie Fuerte, NBC News, 30 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic
Dictionary Entries Near anesthetic
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthetic. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anesthetic
1 of 2 adjective
an·es·thet·ic
ˌan-əs-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, or capable of producing anesthesia
anesthetic
2 of 2 noun
: a substance that produces anesthesia in part or all of the body
Medical Definition
anesthetic
1 of 2 adjective
an·es·thet·ic
variants
or chiefly British anaesthetic
1
: capable of producing anesthesia
anesthetic agents
2
: of, relating to, or caused by anesthesia
an anesthetic effect
anesthetic symptoms
anesthetic
2 of 2 noun
variants
or chiefly British anaesthetic
: a substance that produces anesthesia
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