analgesic

1 of 2

noun

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.

analgesic

2 of 2

adjective

: 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

analgesic drugs

a topical analgesic cream

also : caused by the use of analgesics

analgesic nephropathy

Synonyms

Noun

• anesthetic
• anodyne
• painkiller

Examples of analgesic in a Sentence

Noun

the doctor prescribed an analgesic and rest for my injured knee

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Federal Aviation Administration mandates that commercial airplanes carry an arsenal of intravenous and diagnostic equipment, and various medications including analgesics, antihistamines and epinephrine. —Christine Chung, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

This category includes ketamine, lower doses of opioid analgesics and anabolic steroids, for instance. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024

Adjective

In the study, a team of researchers led by the neuroscientists Francis Lee at Weill Cornell Medicine and Anjali Rajadhyaksha at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University blocked the rewarding properties of opioids in mice while preserving the drugs’ analgesic effects. —Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 29 Nov. 2024

Nettle is said to have an analgesic effect, which is said to help with joint diseases such as rheumatism or osteoarthritis. —Katharina Walser, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

noun derivative of analgesic entry 2

Adjective

analgesia + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1860, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

analgesic

1 of 2 adjective

an·​al·​ge·​sic -ˈjē-zik  -sik 

: relating to, characterized by, or producing analgesia

analgesic

2 of 2 noun

: an agent for producing analgesia