as in harmless
not causing or being capable of causing injury or hurt
the otherwise anodyne comments sounded quite inflammatory when taken out of context
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sedative
something (as a drug) that relieves pain
the dentist prescribed an anodyne after the root canal
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in narcotic
something that soothes, calms, or induces passivity or a sense of security
as an anodyne for the stress and superficiality of the modern world, there's nothing better than reading a literary classic of substance and insight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of anodyne
Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
For Sherman, with two master’s degrees and a Ph.D., the anodyne title of health scientist administrator masks a beyond-the-data devotion to patient safety.
—Michael L. Millenson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Adjective
The conflict at this point remains fairly anodyne by comparison.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
For Sherman, with two master’s degrees and a Ph.D., the anodyne title of health scientist administrator masks a beyond-the-data devotion to patient safety.
—Michael L. Millenson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
The result of all that rulemaking and political sensitivity is the anodyne Covid-19.
—Adam Rogers, Wired, 11 Feb. 2020
To yield to the soft tyranny of transgender pronouns is to pretend that gender dysphoria is an anodyne lifestyle on which societal legitimacy should be conferred, not a psychological malady requiring compassion and psychological treatment.
—Josh Hammer, National Review, 27 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for anodyne
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anodyne
Adjective
-
Selling such toys violates a New York law inspired by police encounters that have resulted in fatalities because the guns, though harmless, look like actual firearms.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
27 May 2025
-
These snakes are also harmless to humans, the department points out, as their diet consists primarily of rodents and other small mammals but also commonly includes lizards, birds and bird eggs.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Jeff Getting: The evidence introduced at the trial was … contained in the autopsy report, which didn't find any significant evidence of sedatives … But Kate Fox also testified that Linda had discussed ways of getting rid of her husband, including running him over with a car.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
20 May 2025
-
Florida uses a three-drug cocktail for its lethal injection: a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Corrections Department.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Holdgate was charged with three counts of violation of probation, two counts of first-degree failure to appear, two counts of second-degree failure to appear and possession of narcotics and was being held on a total of $345,000 in cash/surety bonds.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2025
-
He was expected to appear in court Wednesday on misdemeanor charges stemming from that incident; he was also being held on a previous felony charge of narcotics possession.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
The threat turned out to be benign, but the panic of lockdown was real.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
-
Urinary symptoms, such as frequent urination or difficulty urinating, are quite common in older men and are usually due to benign conditions like having an enlarged prostate, CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder says.—
Jordan Freiman,
CBS News,
18 May 2025
Noun
-
Treatment Is a Possible Way to Avoid or Delay Knee Replacement While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, people can ease symptoms with medications, including analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, ibuprofen), and corticosteroids.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
In lab research, one potential concern is performing live dissections, once known as vivisection, without anesthetics or analgesics.—
Bob Fischer,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The child tested positive for fentanyl and opiates, officials said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
-
According to federal experts, fentanyl can be made cheaply and in large quantities in labs, and is far more potent than natural opiates like heroin or morphine.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
Adjective
-
In healthy cultures, people feel safe to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and explore new ideas.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
-
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
The soap is said to smell like Sweeney’s childhood homeland, the Pacific Northwest, so anyone who has a warm and innocent association with that area’s pine, Douglas fir and earthy moss essence is likely to have that completely ruined.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
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Al Nassr When a YouTuber named Abu Omar dared to do an innocent impression of supervillain Lionel Messi at the home of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr gave a calm and measured response.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anodyne.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anodyne. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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