1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
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2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
he used total immersion in his job as an anesthetic for the empty shell that his marriage had become
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as in analgesic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
Ketamine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a short-acting anesthetic for humans and animals in medical settings, where it’s often administered through an IV.
—Jason Kravarik, CNN, 17 Aug. 2024
Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug, that contains psychedelic contents.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic 
Noun
Regional anesthesia involves injecting local anesthetics near nerves to block pain signals to the brain.
—Heather Margonari, Discover Magazine, 28 Nov. 2024
Ketamine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a short-acting anesthetic for humans and animals in medical settings, where it’s often administered through an IV.
—Jason Kravarik, CNN, 17 Aug. 2024
Adjective
An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will typically administer the anesthetic propofol, which is a fast-acting drug that will knock you out immediately, but keep you out for only 15 minutes or so, says Salama.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024
Ketamine is an anesthetic drug, that contains psychedelic contents.
—Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
-
Since the death penalty was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court in 1976, the federal government has executed 16 prisoners with a high dose of the sedative pentobarbital.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Alcohol, while initially sedative, disrupts the natural sleep cycle.—
Lela London,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Panga vessels are often used to smuggle migrants and narcotics, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s website.—
Jasmine Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2025
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Soon after, not only did Denver’s agencies not participate in our task forces, but our agents, including me, were intentionally removed from a narcotics task force.—
John Fabbricatore,
The Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The analgesic drugs that are typically prescribed for short-term pain—such as following an injury or surgery—work by either reducing the inflammation that causes pain or changing how the brain perceives pain.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Studies have shown that cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, may have powerful analgesic effects, which have led to growing interest in their use for chronic pain management, especially in patients who do not respond to traditional painkillers.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Photos released by the commission show the panther in a tree before the tranquilizer took effect, at which point the animal was caught in a net.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
-
After parroting LaGuerta’s message about learning from our mistakes, Dex explains that he’s found the perfect tranquilizer and even has a convenient dosing chart to make sure to avoid any future accidents.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Tolerance is a side effect of many medications, such as opiates and benzodiazepines, which are often used to help treat pain and anxiety.—
Femi Aremu,
Verywell Health,
3 Feb. 2025
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A day later, a social worker told the new mother: The baby’s meconium — or first bowel movement — had tested positive for opiates.—
Shoshana Walter,
USA TODAY,
11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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By 1984, Chicago DJs Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy were repurposing disco tracks with drum machines like the Roland TR-808 and 909 to create hypnotic beats.—
Joycelyn Wilson,
The Conversation,
30 Jan. 2025
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Fassbender may be too obviously statuesque for real spycraft, but his performance of an agent cracking under the weight of existential turmoil is so hypnotic that one forgives the incongruous casting choice.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The paintings do not sit well under this anodyne title.—
Richard Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2025
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Indeed, a persistent criticism is that their artistic approach evades urgent issues in favor of abstract or anodyne statements.—
Travis Diehl,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near anesthetic
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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