as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
the otherwise anodyne comments sounded quite inflammatory when taken out of context
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist prescribed an anodyne after the root canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
as an anodyne for the stress and superficiality of the modern world, there's nothing better than reading a literary classic of substance and insight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 anodyne
Lazaro Gamio, New York Times, 18 July 2024
Notable features: Everyone on this show is hot in anodyne, unremarkable ways, and none of the drama is especially striking.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for anodyne 
Adjective
Read full email › Mr. Biden’s language tends to be more anodyne.
—Lazaro Gamio, New York Times, 18 July 2024
Notable features: Everyone on this show is hot in anodyne, unremarkable ways, and none of the drama is especially striking.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
Noun
The result of all that rulemaking and political sensitivity is the anodyne Covid-19.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for anodyne
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodyne
Adjective
-
Many people receive similar messages that seem harmless at first glance but could potentially be part of a more sinister scheme.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Though many changes are probably harmless, some have implications for cancers and for neurological diseases.—
Amber Dance,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Once known by nicknames like laughing gas and hippy crack, the inhalant nitrous oxide — a sedative commonly used by healthcare providers — is getting attention online.—
Rachel Hale,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
-
Withdrawing or withholding care, or using strong sedatives that advance death, are regarded as legally distinct, if ending life is not the main aim.—
The Week,
theweek,
10 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Ulbricht, 40, had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole since 2015, after he was convicted in federal court on seven charges that included distributing narcotics and conspiring to commit computer hacking.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2025
-
He was convicted in 2015 on seven counts related to the site, including distributing narcotics on the Internet and engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Staying long after the funeral, the seemingly benign Jérémie begins to casually insinuate himself into his late mentor’s family.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
-
Many of these users are benign, but some are not—including authoritarian regimes, cyber-hackers, and criminal gangs.—
Anne Neuberger,
Foreign Affairs,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Oxycodone and hydrocodone are in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics (pain-relievers).—
Ayesha Gulzar,
Verywell Health,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Cedarwood Essential Oil Cedarwood has antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.6 There is very little research on the impact of cedarwood essential oil on hair health.—
Kathi Valeii,
Verywell Health,
24 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
Addicted to opiates and alcohol, his life changes when a young man, Drew Starkey’s Eugene Allerton, arrives on the scene, stirring Craig’s character into earth-shattering infatuation.—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Jan. 2025
-
My group entered into the action in a ballroom setting where members of Conwell’s family were miming a scene about an addiction to opiates.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
This Coach Outlet find is roomy and measures 12 by 12 by 5 inches, and it’s made from pebble leather with a fabric lining that keeps your essentials safe.—
Carly Totten,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2025
-
But also, within love, within relationships, there should be a responsibility to protect; there should be a responsibility to make sure that person is safe.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
They have been used before in crowded city centers in Europe to take innocent lives and spread fear.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
-
What does that have to do with innocent bystander Zac Efron?—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near anodyne
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share