anodyne

American  

[an-uh-dahyn] / ˈæn əˌdaɪn /

noun

1. a medicine that relieves or allays pain.

2. anything that relieves distress or pain.

   The music was an anodyne to his grief.

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adjective

1. relieving pain.

   a book detailing the anodyne properties of certain plants.

2. soothing to the mind or feelings.

   the anodyne effects of a month's vacation.

3. weakened and made bland, as to avoid harm or controversy.

   anodyne explanations that shelter children from the brutal truth.

anodyne British  

/ ˈænəˌdaɪn /

noun

1. a drug that relieves pain; analgesic

2. anything that alleviates mental distress

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adjective

1. capable of relieving pain or distress

Other Word Forms

• anodynic adjective

Etymology

Origin of anodyne

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin anōdynus, from Greek anṓdynos “free from pain, soothing pain,” equivalent to an- + ōdyn- (stem of odýnē “pain,” with lengthening of o ) + -os adjective suffix; an- ¹, -odynia ( def. )

Example Sentences

Usually engaged in anodyne activities, they present idealized versions of childhood: full of stereotypical sweetness, innocence and light.

From Los Angeles Times

Nevertheless its anodyne prescription feels appropriate for these turbulent times.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I feel no regret, but I feel amused at myself that I thought it was going to be an anodyne speech,” adding, “By the way, the audience was very receptive. It was widely misreported.”

From The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, the saxophonist had brought his own laptop that produced anodyne drones that intruded on Stone.

From Los Angeles Times

He doesn’t actually understand the corporate world but treats it like a game, filling out forms, writing anodyne requests to lawyers and other middlemen, steadily accumulating positions in public companies.

From The Wall Street Journal