painkiller

noun

pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌki-lər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
variants or less commonly pain-killer
: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain
pain-killing adjective
or painkilling

Examples of painkiller in a Sentence

I took some over-the-counter painkillers for my headache. after her oral surgery, she was given a prescription for a mild painkiller
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Buprenorphine also belongs to the same class of drugs as the painkillers and illicit opioids that have led to so much anguish in the first place, most likely causing many physicians to avoid it reflexively. Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 Since coming home, the most troubled of them had turned to painkillers, alcohol, and even meth. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ non-opioid painkiller Journavx, which blocks pain signals sent to the brain at their origin. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2025 No word on exemptions FDA approves painkiller designed to eliminate the risk of addiction associated with opioids The word on NFL draft prospects, free agents and Chicago Bears coaches. Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for painkiller 

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of painkiller was in 1849

Dictionary Entries Near painkiller

Cite this Entry

“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painkiller. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

painkiller

noun
pain·​kill·​er ˈpān-ˌkil-ər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
: something (as a drug) that relieves pain
painkilling adjective

Medical Definition

painkiller

noun
pain·​kill·​er -ˌkil-ər How to pronounce painkiller (audio)
: something (as a drug) that relieves pain
painkilling adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on painkiller

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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