Anodyne

/ˈæn.ə.daɪn/ · adjective

Meaning

(pharmacology) Capable of soothing or eliminating pain..

Definitions by Sense

1. (pharmacology) Capable of soothing or eliminating pain.
2. (figuratively) Soothing or relaxing.
3. (by extension) Noncontentious, blandly agreeable, unlikely to cause offence or debate.
4. (pharmacology) Any medicine or other agent that relieves pain.
5. (figuratively) A source of relaxation or comfort.

Example Sentences

Many a time has the vapor of ether been inhaled for the relief of oppressed lungs; many a time has the sought relief been thus obtained; and just so many times has the discovery of the wonderful anodyne properties of this gas, as affecting all bodily suffering, been brushed past and overlooked.

The citrate is the most efficient as an alkali, but irritates some stomachs, the liquor the most anodyne, the acetate the most diuretic.

Classical music is rather anodyne.

Near-synonyms: harmless, neutral

It all became so routine, so anodyne, so dull.

States typically like to stick to anodyne messages, like saving wildflowers or animals. But every so often a controversy crops up.

The Vatican supports the vision of an independent Palestine living in peace alongside Israel, and Francis on Saturday called for a “just solution” to the conflict – the sort of neutral, anodyne language he is expected to adhere to during the stay.

Nor do I mean to say that Virtue is not Virtue because it is never tempted to go astray; only that dulness is a much finer gift than we give it credit for being; and that some people are very lucky whom Nature has endowed with a good store of that great anodyne.

Synonyms for anodyne

Antonyms for anodyne

Related Words

Word Forms

• more anodyne
• most anodyne
• anodynes

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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