1
as in sedatives
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist prescribed an anodyne after the root canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in narcotics
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodynes
Noun
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The official stated aim was to disrupt the flow of narcotics into the United States, with Venezuela identified as a central route used by trafficking organizations.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025 -
Washington wants to shore up Caribbean security ties, counter narcotics trafficking, and protect energy infrastructure (Trinidad is a major gas producer).—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The draft guidance could shape clinical trial designs, labeling considerations and FDA review expectations for future prescription non-opioid analgesics seeking approval for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
-
The drug breaks ground as the first and only in a category of non-opioid analgesics to treat fibromyalgia.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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These chemicals can be even more potent than other opiates and produce comparable hallucinogenic effects, increasing the desirability of the cut fentanyl on the market.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Boston Magazine reported that during her training she was ultimately dismissed for administering opiates without a doctor’s order and leaving her shift early.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Alex also admitted in court in 2023 to taking more than 2,000 milligrams of painkillers daily, prior to the 2021 murders.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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The other trial compares the same proprietary cannabis elixir with opioids, revealing that patients who used the elixir experienced fewer gastrointestinal side effects like constipation than when using painkillers.—
NPR,
NPR,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There is not much to say about that misadventure, other than that some people still haven’t gotten the memo about dissociative anesthetics and bathtubs.—
Sam Lipsyte,
New Yorker,
19 Oct. 2025
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These vampiric bugs use needle-like mouthpieces to locate a capillary and inject saliva containing anesthetics and anticoagulants into its host allowing blood to flow freely into their stomachs for several minutes.—
Katie Nixon,
Nashville Tennessean,
23 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Anodynes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodynes. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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