an·es·thet·ic
ˌa-nəs-ˈthe-tik 
1
: of, relating to, or capable of producing anesthesia
2
: lacking awareness or sensitivity
was anesthetic to their feelings
1
: a substance that produces anesthesia
2
: something that brings relief : palliative
Synonyms
Examples of anesthetic in a Sentence
Noun
The doctor gave him the stitches without an anesthetic.
the dentist waited until the anesthetic took effect
Recent Examples on the Web
Carley Millhone, Health, 20 Oct. 2024
Like many other women she's since encountered, Schwartz posted online to share her traumatic experience, asking why women’s pain has been normalized in gynecological procedures to the extent that no anesthetic or laughing gas is offered for relief.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024
It's not recommended to use an OTC anesthetic for longer than a week unless your dentist recommends it.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic 
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Adjective
Procedures and surgeries used to stop ringing in the ears can include:
Lidocaine injections: Local anesthetic medications like lidocaine block nerve signals in the skin to prevent pain.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 20 Oct. 2024
Like many other women she's since encountered, Schwartz posted online to share her traumatic experience, asking why women’s pain has been normalized in gynecological procedures to the extent that no anesthetic or laughing gas is offered for relief.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
Your healthcare provider may also offer a local anesthetic to numb the area around your cervix to make the process more comfortable.
Factors Affecting IUD Insertion Pain
How painful IUD insertion is varies from person to person.
—Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2024
It's not recommended to use an OTC anesthetic for longer than a week unless your dentist recommends it.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic
Dictionary Entries Near anesthetic
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthetic. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
anesthetic
1 of 2 adjective
an·es·thet·ic
ˌan-əs-ˈthet-ik
: of, relating to, or capable of producing anesthesia
anesthetic
2 of 2 noun
: a substance that produces anesthesia in part or all of the body
Medical Definition
anesthetic
1 of 2 adjective
an·es·thet·ic
variants
or chiefly British anaesthetic
1
: capable of producing anesthesia
anesthetic agents
2
: of, relating to, or caused by anesthesia
an anesthetic effect
anesthetic symptoms
anesthetic
2 of 2 noun
variants
or chiefly British anaesthetic
: a substance that produces anesthesia
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