narcosis
noun
nar·co·sis
när-ˈkō-səs 
plural narcoses
när-ˈkō-ˌsēz
: a state of stupor, unconsciousness, or arrested activity produced by the influence of narcotics or other chemical or physical agents compare nitrogen narcosis
Examples of narcosis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By the end of the 1960s, what remained of the Western counterculture had turned increasingly to violence, decadence, and narcosis as the political and cultural utopia promised in the previous decade had begun to collapse.
—
Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
The carbon dioxide was poisoning him, causing narcosis marked by vivid hallucinations.
—Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024
After many more tests, the duo’s conclusion was the same as Behnke’s: Yes, the narcosis was real.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
As soon as the operation is over the narcosis ends, but the hypnotic condition continues.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2022
Because the reef was located so far down, guarding against narcosis or even states of drowsiness was vital in order to let the scientists study the reef.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 11 Feb. 2022
For most divers that experience narcosis, the effects are more akin to mild to moderate cognitive impairment, not the impact of powerful hallucinogens.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2017
Even experts risk equipment failures, insufficient decompression, and the dangerous confusion induced by nitrogen narcosis.
—Nick Romeo, National Geographic, 11 July 2016
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Erik Morse, Vogue, 26 June 2025
The carbon dioxide was poisoning him, causing narcosis marked by vivid hallucinations.
—Eliza Griswold, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024
After many more tests, the duo’s conclusion was the same as Behnke’s: Yes, the narcosis was real.
—Rachel Lance, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
As soon as the operation is over the narcosis ends, but the hypnotic condition continues.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2022
Because the reef was located so far down, guarding against narcosis or even states of drowsiness was vital in order to let the scientists study the reef.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 11 Feb. 2022
For most divers that experience narcosis, the effects are more akin to mild to moderate cognitive impairment, not the impact of powerful hallucinogens.
—Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2017
Even experts risk equipment failures, insufficient decompression, and the dangerous confusion induced by nitrogen narcosis.
—Nick Romeo, National Geographic, 11 July 2016
Cite this Entry
“Narcosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narcosis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
narcosis
noun
nar·co·sis
när-ˈkō-səs
plural narcoses
-ˈkō-ˌsēz
: a dazed, unconscious, or inactive condition produced by chemicals (as narcotics)
Medical Definition
narcosis
noun
nar·co·sis
när-ˈkō-səs
plural narcoses
-ˌsēz
: a state of stupor, unconsciousness, or arrested activity produced by the influence of narcotics or other chemicals or physical agents see nitrogen narcosis
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