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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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anesthetic
New Atlas, 8 Nov. 2025
The procedure involves injecting a local anesthetic into a cluster of nerves in the neck that could potentially regulate the sympathetic nervous system.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Dental surgeon William Thomas Green Morton saw the case as the perfect opportunity to test his anesthetic breathing apparatus in the hospital’s amphitheater.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anesthetic
Noun
And they've been found in oral and neck cancer cells with one study finding that their activation using the common anesthetic, lidocaine, caused the cells to die off.
—Adjective
Schultz also slow-walked the trial use of the fast-acting anesthetic ketamine by paramedics, who were able to administer only four doses in six months under his stewardship.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for anesthetic
Noun
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Florida’s lethal injections use a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.—
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Florida executions are done via lethal injection using a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, per the state's Department of Corrections.—
Noun
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The search warrant was issued for a residence at 191 Talbot Avenue as a part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.—
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Ventura County deputies seized 92 pounds of drugs, hundreds of oxycodone pills and 14 guns during a narcotics bust in December.—
Adjective
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Some studies suggest lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.—
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The eagle is also getting anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications because birds that fly into fences often get concussions.—
Noun
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After that, three more were first shot with tranquilizer darts, identified as adults, and then euthanized.—
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Experts note that facilities housing primates conduct routine drills and maintain tranquilizer equipment for rare escape events such as this one.—
Noun
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ProPublica reviewed cutoff levels used to confirm the presence of common drugs, including opiates, meth, THC and cocaine, as cited in court records, labs’ contracts with government agencies and scientific journals, as well as in interviews with toxicologists.—
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According to a coroner’s report obtained by TMZ, Peterson reportedly had a deadly cocktail of prescription drugs in her system at the time of her death, including benzodiazepines, opiates and phenothiazines (an anti-psychotic medication).—
Adjective
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The drink is known for its mild euphoria and depressant effects.—
Adjective
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Nazism’s total domination politically and socially found an aesthetic counterpart in the visual reduction of bodies to things, ecstatically subdued before the hypnotic power of a leader, force, or sublime beauty.—
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Plus, Palmer and Goode's oh-so-palpable chemistry conjures up a hypnotic charm that even Harkness couldn't resist.—
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anesthetic. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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