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
Synonyms
Examples of analgesic in a Sentence
Noun
the doctor prescribed an analgesic and rest for my injured knee
Recent Examples on the Web
New Atlas, 30 Jan. 2025
Acetaminophen, also an analgesic, works to enhance the opioid's pain-relieving capabilities.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Studies have shown that cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, may have powerful analgesic effects, which have led to growing interest in their use for chronic pain management, especially in patients who do not respond to traditional painkillers.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for analgesic 
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Noun
Importantly, the medication is not an opioid, which means that medical professionals now have an alternative to treating acute pain that doesn’t require using a potentially addictive analgesic.
—New Atlas, 30 Jan. 2025
Acetaminophen, also an analgesic, works to enhance the opioid's pain-relieving capabilities.
—Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The analgesic drugs that are typically prescribed for short-term pain—such as following an injury or surgery—work by either reducing the inflammation that causes pain or changing how the brain perceives pain.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Studies have shown that cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, may have powerful analgesic effects, which have led to growing interest in their use for chronic pain management, especially in patients who do not respond to traditional painkillers.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for analgesic
Dictionary Entries Near analgesic
Cite this Entry
“Analgesic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analgesic. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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