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

Example Sentences

“The one case in which fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin is with a special doctor-prescribed fentanyl skin patch, and even then, it takes hours of exposure.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

The raid came amid pressure from US President Donald Trump for Mexico to stem the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

China has made concessions on rare earths, soybeans and fentanyl.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 5, 2026

Patients exposed to music required lower doses of propofol and fentanyl.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

There is no evidence it produces or traffics fentanyl, which is typically made in Mexico and smuggled over land, experts note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025