fentanyl

American  

[fen-tuh-nil] / ˈfɛn tə nɪl /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a synthetic, short-acting narcotic analgesic and sedative, C 22 H 28 N 2 O, used pharmacologically in anesthesia and neuroleptanalgesia, and also as an illicit drug: Drug dealers are lacing heroin with fentanyl.

   Medics quickly administered fentanyl to the injured soldiers.

   Drug dealers are lacing heroin with fentanyl.

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fentanyl British  

/ ˈfɛntəˌnaɪl /

noun

1. a narcotic drug used in medicine to relieve pain

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Etymology

Origin of fentanyl

First recorded in 1960–65; contraction and respelling of the chemical name N-(1-phenethyl-4-piperidyl)propionanilide

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fentanyl

This underscores the absurdity of labeling fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction in the first place.

From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026

“We’ve created successful organized retail theft programs, human trafficking and fentanyl task forces, and programs targeting violent criminals.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

The molecule shared some characteristics with fentanyl but had a fundamentally different core structure.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 13, 2026

The White House document claimed they had discussed Chinese investment in U.S. industries, purchases of U.S. oil and agricultural products, and ending the flow of fentanyl precursors into the U.S.

From Slate ● May 16, 2026

Chinese purchases of things like U.S. soybeans, and perhaps more restrictions related to fentanyl.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 11, 2026

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