fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfen-tə-ˌnil 

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally (as by intravenous or epidural injection)

Examples of fentanyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since returning to power in January, Trump had already levied two tranches of 10% additional tariffs on all Chinese imports, which the White House said was necessary to stem the flow of illicit fentanyl from the country to the US. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025

Experts immediately dismissed those claims as baseless—Canada is not a source country for fentanyl, and more crossings occur into Canada than out of it. —Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025

On March 31, 2025, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California unsealed an indictment charging Paez with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and conspiracy to import and distribute methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025

On Monday, Assistant Ramsey County County Attorney Ryan Flynn noted in court at the mother’s sentencing how tinfoil is used to wrap and smoke fentanyl. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of phenethyl, a monovalent radical derived from ethylbenzine, from phen- + ethyl

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfent-ᵊn-ˌil 

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally

Note: Fentanyl is marketed under the trademark Actiq.