hard drug

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. an addicting drug capable of producing severe physical or psychological dependence, as heroin.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hard drug¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

Adams Morgan is depicted as a neighborhood where people go to score hard drugs instead of $800,000 condos.

From Washington Post

Oregon decriminalizes possession of hard drugs, as four other states legalize recreational marijuanaBut South Dakota’s vote stands out as a particularly extreme shift in state policy.

From Washington Post

The teenager has inherited a gang affiliation from his father, and Maverick accepts the opportunity to make money on the side by selling hard drugs.

From Time

“The national surveys only provide a tiny bit of information on hard drug use,” he tells me.

From The Daily Beast

Without ADAM, Kilmer is unsure what a picture of hard drug use would look like.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• anesthetic
• dope
• heroin
• merchandise
• opiate
• opium
• painkiller
• sedative
• tranquilizer