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
Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Zylka finally calmed down after officers used a stun gun and paramedics administered the general anesthetic ketamine.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
Cristina Mutchler, Health, 3 Oct. 2024
What to expect during treatment: Dorantes applies a topical anesthetic for around 30 minutes, and the treatment itself takes 20 to 30 minutes.
—Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic 
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Adjective
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug, that contains psychedelic contents.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Zylka finally calmed down after officers used a stun gun and paramedics administered the general anesthetic ketamine.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
To use, apply an anesthetic to the sore tooth and surrounding gums.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 3 Oct. 2024
What to expect during treatment: Dorantes applies a topical anesthetic for around 30 minutes, and the treatment itself takes 20 to 30 minutes.
—Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 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 30 Dec. 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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