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
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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
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Recent Examples of anodyne
Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
The problem is that to be so universally inoffensive, an affiliative joke usually ends up being overworn and anodyne.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
John Brant, Popular Mechanics, 27 Apr. 2020
This is the confluence that defines the spectacle: statistics, like photographs, have a kind of moral authority, one whose meaning may repel us but one that nevertheless encourages certainty, and thus anodyne.
—Shannon Pufahl, The New York Review of Books, 21 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Adjective
The Port, which is overseen by the county, issued its own anodyne statement at the time, never conceding any role in the problem.
—Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025
The problem is that to be so universally inoffensive, an affiliative joke usually ends up being overworn and anodyne.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Peterson pauses, running his hand along the blue aluminum-anodyne actuator machined to match the length of Daniel’s right thigh.
—John Brant, Popular Mechanics, 27 Apr. 2020
This is the confluence that defines the spectacle: statistics, like photographs, have a kind of moral authority, one whose meaning may repel us but one that nevertheless encourages certainty, and thus anodyne.
—Shannon Pufahl, The New York Review of Books, 21 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodyne
Adjective
-
For now, the evidence shows that kratom is an opioid with real risks – not a harmless supplement.—
Andrew Kolodny,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The wrecked car was overturned with the nude model sleeping inside—playing dead with help from a mild sedative.—
Serena Turner,
Vanity Fair,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Curry was injected with an unknown substance, likely a sedative, by EMS.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The warrant was issued as part of an investigation into narcotics violations, police said.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
According to court documents approving his pre-trial detention, Woods was already a felon and was on electronic monitoring in a federal narcotics case at the time of the shooting.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
No faction is more divided than the British, however, with benign diplomat Thomas Hopkins (Billy Howle) at odds with the almost feral Army captain Orde Wingate (Aramayo), reputed father of the modern IDF.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
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Some of the essays are benign and well-documented; tales of her own neuroses, and her obsessions with the health of her father, Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm creator Larry David.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Microorganisms in thermal mud produce a variety of compounds with therapeutic properties, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics, the study found.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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Turmeric may have effects similar to those of analgesics, medicines used to relieve pain.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Offering 99 percent accuracy for five different drugs, this drug test has exceptional sensitivity for detecting opiates in urine.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Requests to transfer money, purchase gift cards, or move funds to keep your accounts safe are not part of any SSA process.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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In suburban neighborhoods, for example, wildlife crossings and native plants provide safer movement options.—
Eve Bohnett,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In Ohio, the recent trend among people who use fentanyl is to find pills spiked with an animal tranquilizer that causes severe addiction, said Beckman, of the Hamilton County Quick Response Team.—
Kaitlin Coward,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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According to court records, a powerful animal tranquilizer known as BAM — a combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine — was found in her bone marrow.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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