as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
the otherwise anodyne comments sounded quite inflammatory when taken out of context
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist prescribed an anodyne after the root canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in narcotic
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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of anodyne
Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 30 Sep. 2024
Drawn-out negotiations produced an anodyne version shorn of references to Trump and Muslim lynchings, merely decrying discrimination.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for anodyne 
Adjective
Early attempts to craft such federal legislation have stalled in Congress amid the release of some anodyne policy road maps and working group reports.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 30 Sep. 2024
Drawn-out negotiations produced an anodyne version shorn of references to Trump and Muslim lynchings, merely decrying discrimination.
—Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
Noun
The result of all that rulemaking and political sensitivity is the anodyne Covid-19.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See all Example Sentences for anodyne
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodyne
Adjective
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Jar Jar Binks Actor Reflects on Backlash to Phantom Menace: 'My Career Began and Ended' with Star Wars (Exclusive) Mr. Reed, Grant’s character in Heretic, appears to be harmless at first, welcoming two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into his home.Jen Juneau, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
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Microaggressions can seem harmless or minor, but can accumulate and cause significant stress or discomfort for the recipient.Michaela Zee, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The category also includes certain stimulants, sedatives and opioids.Aria Bendix, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2024
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In more than 15 of those cases, police requested or suggested that emergency medical workers inject sedatives, such as ketamine or midazolam, to temporarily immobilize someone for transport.John Seewer and Reese Dunklin, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
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He was found guilty of participating in a narcotics conspiracy involving at least 11 kilograms of narcotics at a bench trial in February.Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
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The estimated street value of the narcotics is thought to be $5,712,000, according to DPS.David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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By bonding, the medicine transforms the reactive metals into benign molecules that have little interest in interacting with different compounds in the body.Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
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This is largely because such individuals tend to focus more on negative experiences, interpreting even benign comments or actions from their partner as hostile or threatening.Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
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This category includes ketamine, lower doses of opioid analgesics and anabolic steroids, for instance.Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
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The potential benefits are attributed to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids, as well as their ability to enhance sleep quality, which is crucial for muscle recovery.Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Army veteran Christopher DeSanto served in Iraq, mustered out with physical and emotional issues, and became addicted to opiates prescribed by a doctor.Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 13 Oct. 2024
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And yet with fentanyl, the drug naloxone, if administered quickly enough, can reverse the effects of opiates and save lives.Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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There are several safe bases scattered throughout the Zone where Skif can interact with non-player characters to advance the story missions.Issy van der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
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Popular on Variety To the narrative’s detriment, the film doesn’t stray far from the safe confines of outdated formulas, wherein a city dweller finds love in a small town and workaholics are chided for choosing a career over love.Courtney Howard, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Investigators believe the two men who were injured were innocent bystanders, police said.Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
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The message was clear: Even if your group is defined by targeting innocent people, the Biden-Harris White House will bestow the same legitimacy upon you as any nation-state by granting you a seat at the negotiating table.Pat Fallon, National Review, 3 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near anodyne
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
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