fentanyl

noun

fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfen-tə-ˌnil How to pronounce fentanyl (audio)
: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C22H28N2O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C22H28N2O·C6H8O7 is administered orally or parenterally (as by intravenous or epidural injection)

Examples of fentanyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Further, critics accuse the Chinese government of not doing enough to deter the production and distribution of fentanyl. David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025 Ayala, 74, now faces racketeering charges brought by federal prosecutors in Sacramento, who allege the National City native conspired with members of the Sinaloa cartel to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl throughout the western United States. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025 By the numbers: From January to November of last year, 589 people died from overdoses, of which 31 were known to involve fentanyl, according to the most recent report from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Nadia Lopez, Axios, 17 Jan. 2025 Listen to this article A Lake Worth Beach woman was sentenced Wednesday to 24 years in federal prison for her role in selling fentanyl to a mother whose infant ingested the drug and died in Boynton Beach in 2022. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for fentanyl 

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of phenethyl, a monovalent radical derived from ethylbenzine, from phen- + ethyl

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fentanyl was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near fentanyl

Cite this Entry

“Fentanyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fentanyl. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

fentanyl

noun
fen·​ta·​nyl ˈfent-ᵊn-ˌil How to pronounce fentanyl (audio)
: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C22H28N2O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C22H28N2O·C6H8O7 is administered orally or parenterally

Note: Fentanyl is marketed under the trademark Actiq.

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