1
as in sedatives
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
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2
as in narcotics
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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Recent Examples of anesthetics
Low doses of most anesthetics, says Franks, work by affecting our brain cells’ receptors.
—
Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Also consider topical anesthetics and analgesic patches, or mild transcutaneous neurostimulation such as the TENS device, which applies a low-voltage current to the skin.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Surprisingly, scientists only recently learned how anesthetics trigger unconsciousness.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Also consider topical anesthetics and analgesic patches, or mild transcutaneous neurostimulation such as the TENS device, which applies a low-voltage current to the skin.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Surprisingly, scientists only recently learned how anesthetics trigger unconsciousness.
—Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetics
Noun
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The woman was booked into the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on felony charges related to narcotics sales and weapons violations, as well as child endangerment, the sheriff’s office said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
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Travis Mello and Niles Mello will also be charged with narcotics offenses and Conspiracy to Violate Controlled Substance Act.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
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The drug breaks ground as the first and only in a category of non-opioid analgesics to treat fibromyalgia.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These chemicals can be even more potent than other opiates and produce comparable hallucinogenic effects, increasing the desirability of the cut fentanyl on the market.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
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Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetics.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetics. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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