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
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of anodyne
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Whether deploying peacekeepers or delivering medicine, the most important factor in getting the United Nations involved in a situation is finding anodyne language that geopolitical foes can agree to.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
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
Alison Ellwood’s Boy George & Culture Club is a solid example of this anodyne trend.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Whether deploying peacekeepers or delivering medicine, the most important factor in getting the United Nations involved in a situation is finding anodyne language that geopolitical foes can agree to.
—Amanda Chicago Lewis, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
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
-
In fact, the idea for the project began to take shape after Bad Shabbos producer Adam Mitchell heard about Weiner’s mother playing a harmless prank on an unsuspecting dinner guest.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
Mites in other stages of the life cycle aren’t parasitic, so adults are harmless to humans.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
That includes chemotherapy treatments, sedatives, antibiotics and medications on hospital crash carts.—
Victoria Malis,
ProPublica,
7 July 2025
-
Death Star, with its high THC content and sedative effects, can help Scorpios tap into their introspective side.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
This was when my mug shot was taken in a Chicago jail in 2002, after I had been arrested for felony possession of narcotics.—
Michael W. Clune,
Harpers Magazine,
16 July 2025
-
Authorities notably seized narcotics and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant at Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles during the raids last year.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Yet Ozzy’s voice sounded so benign and compassionate, downright vulnerable.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
23 July 2025
-
Many signs of multiple myeloma are common to benign and harmless conditions, so laboratory and imaging testing are necessary to determine whether your symptoms are related to this disease.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Turmeric may have similar effects to analgesics, medicines used to relieve pain.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2025
-
Not to mention, future science could also lead to an entirely different analgesic that functions better and with fewer downsides, Dr. Espey points out.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
My niece and then my sister reached out to me because my niece has been using opiates heavily, which cost her a job and almost led to her being incarcerated.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
12 May 2025
-
Members of Hinge Health can access virtual exercise therapy and an electrical nerve stimulation device called Enso that’s designed to serve as an alternative to pain medications like opiates.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The performance itself begins at 7:20 p.m., followed by an after-party at 9 p.m. Event organizers encourage rideshare for a safe and carefree experience, though free parking is available across the street from the venue at 6101 Highland Campus Dr. Building 3000.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
The lesson of Lilith Fair — that women artists could have their own stage on which to perform and feel safe — will be front and centre as the Canadian documentary launches in Toronto.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
But the alternative is much worse: a world where the loss of innocent life is treated as inescapable, where no calamity can be prevented or bad situation reformed.—
Olga Khazan,
The Atlantic,
14 July 2025
-
Comprehensive cell phone analysis can be just as powerful in clearing innocent drivers by proving no user interaction occurred.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share