anodyne 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-nə-ˌdīn How to pronounce anodyne (audio)
Definition of anodynenext
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

anodyne

2 of 2

noun

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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of anodyne
Adjective
Next came up the meaningless anodyne resolution, the Path to Peace, offered by the Trump administration that assigned no blame to the war. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025 The paintings do not sit well under this anodyne title. — Richard Meyer, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
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
  1. harmless
  2. sedative
  3. narcotic
  4. benign
  5. analgesic
  6. opiate
  7. safe
  8. innocent
Adjective
  • The Northern Lights in Mexico that trended on social media were technically harmless — but if an even more powerful storm strikes, pictures of the mesmerizing aurora may struggle to make it to the internet.
    — Tom Brown, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Compared to other insects, most ants are harmless, Hayes said, adding that, unlike mosquitoes, ants do not carry diseases that can infect humans.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of harmless
Noun
  • Among the issues in the appeal is the state’s use of the drug etomidate as a sedative before other lethal-injection drugs are administered.
    — Jim Saunders, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
  • His career was dealt a blow in 2021 when he was convicted of illegally purchasing and using the sedative propofol.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of sedative
Noun
  • Comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez was arrested after police allegedly found narcotics in his vehicle during a traffic stop on Friday night in Burbank.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Two have been charged in connection to narcotics trafficking, the office of San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Friday.
    — Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of narcotic
Adjective
  • Such defenses include profiling victims before an attack is mounted, and can even provide an escape path to a benign alternative to prevent the threat being flagged.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In total, 11 members of the fifth-floor maternity unit at Mass General’s Newton-Wellesley Hospital have reported suffering from health issues, including the nurses diagnosed with the benign tumors.
    — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of benign
Noun
  • Participants who’d been issued at least two acetaminophen prescriptions within six months – and not in combination with other analgesics like codeine – were defined as exposed to acetaminophen.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Dec. 2024
  • 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, New Atlas, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of analgesic
Noun
  • The child also tested positive for exposure to opiates.
    — Mark Price, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2025
  • During a search of his vehicle, officers allegedly located an off-white powder substance which tested positive for opiates along with two other substances which tested positive for cocaine, police said.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of opiate
Adjective
  • Until there is, the safest approach may be not to share at all.
    — Abigail Dubiniecki, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • So Far Cannes' Thierry Fremaux Wants 'Mission: Impossible 8,' Teases 2025 Fest Lineup and Moves on From the 'Emilia Perez' Controversy (EXCLUSIVE) That safe haven could also be an alternative to the normal escape route people take out of Gilead.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • The show follows an innocent father (Worthington) serving life in prison for the murder of his own son.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025
  • At first, his relationship with Claire seemed innocent enough.
    — Christina Pérez, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of innocent

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Cite this Entry

“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.

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