: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt (such as a hydrochloride or a sulfate) as an analgesic and sedative
Examples of morphine in a Sentence
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Overdose rates in Alaska have reached historic levels, according to CDC data, due to a proliferation of fentanyl
Fentanyl is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine and can be deadly even in small doses, according to the CDC.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 May 2025
When French authorities stopped him at the border and threatened to hand him over to the Gestapo, Benjamin swallowed an overdose of morphine.
—Nina Siegal, New York Times, 7 May 2025
Louise confesses to wishing for her mother to die and sometimes wonders if an overdose of morphine might’ve been the kinder option.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Many see illicit fentanyl, said to be about 50 times as powerful as heroin and 100 times as powerful as morphine, as the worst drug epidemic the country has ever seen.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
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Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 May 2025
When French authorities stopped him at the border and threatened to hand him over to the Gestapo, Benjamin swallowed an overdose of morphine.
—Nina Siegal, New York Times, 7 May 2025
Louise confesses to wishing for her mother to die and sometimes wonders if an overdose of morphine might’ve been the kinder option.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Many see illicit fentanyl, said to be about 50 times as powerful as heroin and 100 times as powerful as morphine, as the worst drug epidemic the country has ever seen.
—Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for morphine
Cite this Entry
“Morphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morphine. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
morphine
noun
mor·phine
ˈmȯr-ˌfēn 
: a bitter white habit-forming narcotic drug made from opium and used especially to deaden pain
Etymology
derived from Morpheus "Greek god of dreams"
Medical Definition
morphine
noun
mor·phine
ˈmȯr-ˌfēn
: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C17H19NO3)2·H2SO4·5H2O or hydrated hydrochloride C17H19NO3·HCl·3H2O as an analgesic and sedative
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