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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of anodyne
Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 30 Sep. 2024
Drawn-out negotiations produced an anodyne version shorn of references to Trump and Muslim lynchings, merely decrying discrimination.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 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
Early attempts to craft such federal legislation have stalled in Congress amid the release of some anodyne policy road maps and working group reports.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 30 Sep. 2024
Drawn-out negotiations produced an anodyne version shorn of references to Trump and Muslim lynchings, merely decrying discrimination.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 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
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Jar Jar Binks Actor Reflects on Backlash to Phantom Menace: 'My Career Began and Ended' with Star Wars (Exclusive) Mr. Reed, Grant’s character in Heretic, appears to be harmless at first, welcoming two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his home.Jen Juneau, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Microaggressions can seem harmless or minor, but can accumulate and cause significant stress or discomfort for the recipient.Michaela Zee, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The category also includes certain stimulants, sedatives and opioids.Aria Bendix, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024
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In more than 15 of those cases, police requested or suggested that emergency medical workers inject sedatives, such as ketamine or midazolam, to temporarily immobilize someone for transport.John Seewer and Reese Dunklin, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
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He was found guilty of participating in a narcotics conspiracy involving at least 11 kilograms of narcotics at a bench trial in February.Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
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The estimated street value of the narcotics is thought to be $5,712,000, according to DPS.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Examine the clues, discard the red herrings, ignore the obvious, and clock the suspicious behavior of that seemingly benign neighbor.Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024
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While some reasons are more benign than others, the behavior can signal larger health concerns, says Alt.Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024
Noun
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May Reduce Inflammation Carom seeds have potent analgesic (pain relief) and anti-inflammatory properties.Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
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Hemp contains cannabinoids like CBD and CBN, which have relaxing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antidepressant properties that may be useful for helping insomnia, reducing anxiety, and inducing a sense of calm.Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Army veteran Christopher DeSanto served in Iraq, mustered out with physical and emotional issues, and became addicted to opiates prescribed by a doctor.Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct. 2024
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And yet with fentanyl, the drug naloxone, if administered quickly enough, can reverse the effects of opiates and save lives.Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Don't miss out on these amazing savings to enhance your workflow and keep your data safe while on the go.Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
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His priorities for the upcoming years include initiating more sustainability, affordable housing and safe parking projects.Stephanie Lam, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Investigators believe the two men who were injured were innocent bystanders, police said.Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
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The message was clear: Even if your group is defined by targeting innocent people, the Biden-Harris White House will bestow the same legitimacy upon you as any nation-state by granting you a seat at the negotiating table.Pat Fallon, National Review, 3 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near anodyne
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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