1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
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2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
he used total immersion in his job as an anesthetic for the empty shell that his marriage had become
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in analgesic
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
Mark Gurarie, Health, 27 Mar. 2025
Household Gods Bigger Than Money Marni Jackson Through a haze of anesthetic, a patient on the operating table recognizes her surgeon's voice.
—Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2025
After this, a local anesthetic agent is sent through the needle, followed by a radiofrequency current.2
The current produces heat that helps destroy the nerve, transmitting pain signals to the brain.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
Topical Anesthetics Daily use of topical (applied to the skin) creams or gels that have an anesthetic (numbing) effect may help.
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 27 Mar. 2025
Household Gods Bigger Than Money Marni Jackson Through a haze of anesthetic, a patient on the operating table recognizes her surgeon's voice.
—Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
However, medication involving the anesthetic, ketamine, has shown promise in recent years for treating these hard-to-resolve depressive symptoms.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2025
After this, a local anesthetic agent is sent through the needle, followed by a radiofrequency current.2
The current produces heat that helps destroy the nerve, transmitting pain signals to the brain.
—Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 29 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
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Sedative medications: Due to ashwagandha's sleep-promoting effect, using it with other sedatives (medicines that might cause sleepiness), like Xanax and Valium (benzodiazepines), can cause breathing problems or too much sleepiness.—
Emmanuella Ogbonna,
Health,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Anxiety and restlessness can be eased somewhat by Benadryl’s sedative effects.—
Alex Yampolsky,
Verywell Health,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Seizures of narcotics also reinforce our continued commitment to our border security mission.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Rodriguez was charged with possession of narcotics with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The term is an adjective that has also become a noun, describing one of the most common analgesic procedures available in modern medicine.—
Stephen C. George,
Discover Magazine,
20 Feb. 2025
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The analgesic drugs that are typically prescribed for short-term pain—such as following an injury or surgery—work by either reducing the inflammation that causes pain or changing how the brain perceives pain.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Sometimes, short-acting tranquilizers can help, but some of these same medicines can also cause sleepwalking.18 When sleepwalking is related to an underlying disorder or medication, treating that condition or switching medications may help.—
Ann Pietrangelo,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The Who played there in 1973, although during the concert, drummer Keith Moon passed out after reportedly taking horse tranquilizers.—
Daniel Brown,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The child also tested positive for exposure to opiates.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
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During a search of his vehicle, officers allegedly located an off-white powder substance which tested positive for opiates along with two other substances which tested positive for cocaine, police said.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Saltz: Lorazepam is in the class of medications called benzodiazepines, which is a depressant, and also sometimes referred to as a sedative hypnotic medication.—
Ben Tinker,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2025
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An unusual — and hypnotic — event is taking place at a lake in Northern California.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The conflict at this point remains fairly anodyne by comparison.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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For Sherman, with two master’s degrees and a Ph.D., the anodyne title of health scientist administrator masks a beyond-the-data devotion to patient safety.—
Michael L. Millenson,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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