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 warrants stemmed from a long-term investigation into complaints of narcotics sales in the greater South Norwalk area.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026 -
Joliet police said their narcotics unit raided a home in the 400 block of Meeker Avenue Wednesday.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Here's what to know about the medication, a powerful painkiller that belongs to a group of medicines called opioid analgesics.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Turmeric may have effects similar to those of analgesics, medicines used to relieve pain.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Are laughter and lightness merely opiates, or tools of the revolution, or both, or neither?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
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Offering 99 percent accuracy for five different drugs, this drug test has exceptional sensitivity for detecting opiates in urine.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Injections of local anesthetics, such as Lidocaine, into the muscles or joints can reduce irritation, muscle spasms and abnormal nerve activities that result in pain.—
Dr. Patricia Richard,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, one of Iran’s largest producers of anti-cancer drugs and anesthetics was hit on Tuesday, state media reported.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Anodynes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodynes. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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