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painkiller
noun
pain·kill·er
ˈpān-ˌki-lər
variants
or less commonly pain-killer
: something (such as a drug) that relieves pain
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
Their arc often follows a common trajectory, from abusing prescription painkillers to heroin to fentanyl.
—Maurice Tamman, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
Since 2021, McKinsey has agreed to pay state and local governments about $765 million in settlements for its role in advising businesses on how to sell more of the powerful prescription painkillers amid a national opioid crisis.
—CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024
Bob, stuck at home on painkillers thanks to an injury, believes that Teddy (who is serving as his nurse for the episode) is, in fact, the wolf: a werewolf, that is.
—Lillian Brown, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024
In 2020, Purdue plead guilty to charges covering widespread misconduct in its handling of prescription painkillers.
—William Gavin, Quartz, 19 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1849, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near painkiller
Cite this Entry
“Painkiller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painkiller. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on painkiller
Nglish: Translation of painkiller for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of painkiller for Arabic Speakers
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