an·al·ge·sic
ˌa-nᵊl-ˈjē-zik 
-sik
: an agent producing diminished sensation to pain without loss of consciousness : a drug that is used to relieve pain and produce analgesia
opioid analgesics
a topical analgesic
Aspirin and acetaminophen are the oral analgesics of first choice in the treatment of mild to moderate pain caused by cancer.—
William T. McGivney et al.
William T. McGivney et al.
: relating to, characterized by, or producing analgesia : relieving or lessening pain without loss of consciousness
Ginger, a member of the same plant family as turmeric, contains anti-inflammatory compounds and volatile oils … that show analgesic and sedative effects in animal studies.—Anahad O'Connor
Anahad O'Connoranalgesic drugs
a topical analgesic cream
Examples of analgesic in a Sentence
Noun
the doctor prescribed an analgesic and rest for my injured knee
Recent Examples on the Web
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Even in the analgesic study, where traditional scales often failed or even showed misleading results (for example, participants reporting more pain after receiving an analgesic), the monetary measures correctly and significantly detected differences.
—New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for analgesic
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.
Noun
Tylenol falls under the umbrella of two other medication classes: analgesics (pain relievers) and antipyretics (fever reducers), says Dr. Anureet Walia, a pain management specialist with UI Health Care.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for chronic pain indications, potentially influencing investment and development priorities in the pharmaceutical industry.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
He was driven by the ambition to design the most potent narcotic analgesic possible.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Even in the analgesic study, where traditional scales often failed or even showed misleading results (for example, participants reporting more pain after receiving an analgesic), the monetary measures correctly and significantly detected differences.
—New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for analgesic
Cite this Entry
“Analgesic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analgesic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share