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
Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 May 2024
The beloved Friends star died on Oct. 28 at 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine, his autopsy revealed.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
The provider can also inject a local anesthetic into the cervix and surrounding areas, called a paracervical block, to decrease pain.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic 
Adjective
Over six months after he was found dead at 54, the Los Angeles Police Department is still looking into the death of the Friends star, who died in October 2023 from the acute effects of anesthetic ketamine.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 21 May 2024
The beloved Friends star died on Oct. 28 at 54 from the acute effects of the anesthetic ketamine, his autopsy revealed.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
Noun
Ketamine, a drug often used as an anesthetic, was found in Perry’s stomach and bloodstream.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024
The provider can also inject a local anesthetic into the cervix and surrounding areas, called a paracervical block, to decrease pain.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 28 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for anesthetic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anesthetic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near anesthetic
Cite this Entry
“Anesthetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anesthetic. Accessed 6 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share