painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌki-lər 

variants or less commonly pain-killer

: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain

pain-killing

ˈpān-ˌki-liŋ 

adjective

or painkilling

Synonyms

• analgesic
• anesthetic
• anodyne

Examples of painkiller in a Sentence

I took some over-the-counter painkillers for my headache.

after her oral surgery, she was given a prescription for a mild painkiller

Recent Examples on the Web

Vodka At Sion Farm Distillery, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Pistachio Painkiller puts a festive St. Paddy’s Day spin on the classic painkiller. —Aly Walansky, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

Bobby Portis has been suspended 25 games for violating the terms of the NBA/NBPA anti-drug program by testing positive for the painkiller Tramadol, the league announced on Thursday. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2025

Yeah, that’s a pretty squidgy line to draw in the sand between painkillers. —Jenna West and Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025

The drug is a painkiller often used for patients following surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for painkiller

• basilar
• distiller
• biller
• chiller
• driller
• filler
• hilar
• hiller
• killer
• pillar
• quiller
• siller

Kids Definition

painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌkil-ər 

: something (as a drug) that relieves pain

painkilling

-iŋ 

adjective

Medical Definition

painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er -ˌkil-ər 

: something (as a drug) that relieves pain

painkilling

-iŋ 

adjective