anesthetic 1 of 2

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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anesthetic

2 of 2

adjective

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anesthetic
Noun
The drug is related to ketamine, a common anesthetic that can have hallucinogenic effects and is sometimes misused recreationally. Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025 The drug was ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic that has found more use to treat depression in recent years, but is also used recreationally. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2025
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
  • Super Bowl reporter found dead had sedative in his system, police say Wife of powerful cartel boss wanted by U.S. is released from prison In: New Mexico Death Gene Hackman Alex Sundby Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com.
    Alex Sundby, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is used as a sedative in medicine.
    Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • During a search of his home, investigators reportedly located clothing that matched with clothing worn by Cross in several of the robberies, as well as narcotics, including heroin and crack cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Her husband Felix Herrera Garcia, 35, was also sentenced to 45 years in October after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The term is an adjective that has also become a noun, describing one of the most common analgesic procedures available in modern medicine.
    Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • Parker Posey is especially good as a homemaker, Violet Ratliff, who arrives with a cache of tranquilizers—these are soon being pilfered and swallowed by her husband, Timothy (Jason Isaacs), a businessman about to be exposed for fraud.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025
  • He's been shot twice by bullets and other times by tranquilizer darts.
    Chelsea Brasted, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • This group of nerve cells also signals the release of one of the body’s naturally-occurring opiates, which often occurs after eating sugar.
    Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Though less than 1% of fentanyl trafficked into the US comes from Canada, Trump has fixated on the prospect of opiates streaming in over the northern border.
    Max Saltman, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • His viral videos are hypnotic, hard-to-comprehend highlight reels, featuring explosive dunks and intricate maneuvers performed by the lightning-fast athlete, such as bouncing a basketball on a fast break behind his back and then picking up the dribble to score.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The bridge, however, uses compression and digital manipulation to conjure up a hypnotic effect, almost like a loop.
    Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The ferocity of the 4 Nations tourney has turned the concept of a bloodless, anodyne All-Star break on its ear.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Early in 2021, this new group issued a broad, if somewhat anodyne, report that reaffirmed the 2015 norms, as well as the relevance of international law to cyberspace.
    Joseph S. Nye Jr., Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021

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“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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