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
William Wilkes, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
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
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
While the photos on the pamphlets are anodyne—cheerful workers on assembly lines—the text offers a dire warning of looming job cuts, accusing Germany’s traditional unions of selling out workers.
—William Wilkes, Bloomberg, 27 Jan. 2026
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
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
-
That and a harmless fifth-inning error were the only blemishes on his masterpiece.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
While eye rubbing may seem harmless, people who rub their eyes are at risk of infections or damage to their cornea.—
Neelam Patadia,
The Conversation,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Melatonin is a timing tool, not a sedative, and won’t overcome a bright room or a noisy house on its own.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
-
Chloral hydrate, a sedative, is used in the short-term treatment of insomnia and to relieve anxiety and induce sleep before surgery.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Following the hurricane relief efforts, the ARG remained in the region for a nearly 10-month deployment, heavily focused on counter-narcotics and disrupting illicit trafficking in support of Operation Southern Spear.—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Court records show that, during a police K-9 sniff of the vehicle, the dog reportedly alerted to the presence of narcotics.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Just be straight to the point and unwavering, without feeling the need to justify a simple, benign action.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 May 2026
-
What followed were three tissue biopsies of the lump over three years, each coming back benign.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Across all participants, 81% reduced their use of oral analgesics, and the suppository was well-tolerated, with most participants willing to use it again.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
One approach to the treatment of pain, almost regardless of its cause, has gained both acceptance and notoriety: the use of opioids, or narcotic analgesics.—
Dr. Patricia Richard,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 2020, O'Neal had a near-fatal stroke after overdosing on morphine, opiates and pain medication.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
-
Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That's a safer way to catch hummers' attention.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
-
The ball hit the bag and bounced away from Spencer Torkelson, so Walton was safe.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
There are sedatives such as xylazine, street-named Tranq, an animal tranquilizer that can cause fleshrotting skin lesions and is frequently mixed with fentanyl.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
18 May 2026
-
Naloxone, the ingredient in Narcan, is an antidote for opioid overdoses, but because xylazine is not an opioid, the emergency medicine only stops the effects of fentanyl, not the tranquilizer, making those who overdose more likely to have lethal repercussions.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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