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Synonyms

painkiller

American  
[peyn-kil-er] / ˈpeɪnˌkɪl ər /

noun

  1. a drug, treatment, or anything else that relieves pain, especially an analgesic.


painkiller British  
/ ˈpeɪnˌkɪlə /

noun

  1. an analgesic drug or agent

  2. anything that relieves pain

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • painkilling adjective

Etymology

Origin of painkiller

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; pain + killer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Derivatives from petrochemicals - such as methanol and ethylene - are vital materials in the global production of pharmaceuticals, including painkillers, antibiotics and vaccines.

From BBC

Avoid taking painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

China is the dominant supplier of pharmaceutical ingredients such as ibuprofen, used in painkillers, and certain antibiotics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Boassen said his mother died a few years ago from a case of sepsis, days after being misdiagnosed at a rural clinic, and sent home with only painkillers.

From The Wall Street Journal

A UK-wide shortage of the strongest form of the painkiller - the 30/500mg dosage - is ongoing due to the Indian government delaying the authorisation to import ingredients required to make the drug there.

From BBC