addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv
a-
: causing or characterized by addiction
an addictive drug
an addictive personality
Examples of addictive in a Sentence
highly addictive drugs like crack and heroin
the addictive thrill of surfing
Recent Examples on the Web
Are our lawmakers again going to permit an addictive technology that children can access and stand by as another generation gets hurt?
—Robert C. Fellmeth, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
The medication therefore avoids the addictive potential of opioids, which work by binding to opioid receptors throughout the central nervous system, in both the brain and spinal cord.
—Alice Park, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
The flavor improves the taste of cigarettes and reduces the feeling of throat irritation, which can make the cigarettes particularly addictive.
—Aria Bendix, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
The Sackler family and Purdue Pharma, the maker of the addictive painkiller oxycontin, have reached a $7.4 billion settlement with a bipartisan coalition of 15 states for fueling the opioid crisis, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday.
—Katrina Kaufman, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for addictive
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Word History
Etymology
First Known Use
1891, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near addictive
Cite this Entry
“Addictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addictive. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv
a-
: causing or characterized by addiction
an addictive drug
an addictive game
Medical Definition
addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv
: causing or characterized by addiction
addictive drugs
Legal Definition
addictive
adjective
ad·dic·tive
ə-ˈdik-tiv
: causing or characterized by addiction
addictive drugs
More from Merriam-Webster on addictive
Nglish: Translation of addictive for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of addictive for Arabic Speakers
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