narcotic

1 of 2

noun

nar·​cot·​ic när-ˈkä-tik How to pronounce narcotic (audio)
1
a
: a drug (such as opium or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions
b
: a drug (such as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether physiologically (see physiological) addictive and narcotic or not
2
: something that soothes, relieves, or lulls
a public comforted by the narcotic of military supremacy

narcotic

2 of 2

adjective

1
a
: having the properties of, being, or yielding a narcotic
narcotic sedatives
narcotic coca leaves
arrested for the sale of narcotic drugs including heroin
… pills containing two common narcotic painkillers—hydrocodone and oxycodone—accounted for about 39 percent of drugs identified in criminal cases that involved prescription medications, according to statistics from the county Crime Laboratory.David Riley
b
: inducing mental lethargy or stupor
He's still serving up drama in empty, narcotic snippets—life as a series of sound bites.Owen Gleiberman
2
a
: of, involving, or concerned with narcotics : relating to the use of narcotics
narcotic arrests
narcotic addiction
narcotic enforcement bureaus
Narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia were located during the search at the residence on Sacramento Street.Stacey Adams
Naltrexone is a narcotic antagonist that prevents illicit drugs from binding to receptors in the brain without producing any high itself.Mike Clary
b
: produced by or as if by narcotics
mild narcotic effects
narcotic analgesia
… a square of melting chocolate on the tongue is so narcotic it instantly provides a traveler with a sense of well-being.Bert Greene
The somnolent atmosphere, typical of his last pictures, conveys a sense of an almost narcotic trance.Stephen Jones
3
: involving, affecting, or intended for people addicted to or dependent on narcotics
narcotic rehab programs
narcotic withdrawal
narcotically adverb

Examples of narcotic in a Sentence

Noun an irradicable sense of self-righteousness seems to be the narcotic that inures these religious fanatics from any realization of the harm they have done Adjective some therapists believe that certain scents can have a narcotic effect on people the lecturer droned on in a narcotic monotone that eventually had the entire class struggling to stay awake
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In 2008, narcotics cop Matthew Zani made a contentious exit from the Detroit Police Department. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024 The verdict underscored the extent to which narcotics gangs have penetrated some Latin American governments. Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 An investigation into the firefighter began when the Centerton Fire Chief noticed a 10 mg vial was missing from the narcotics safe, Centerton police said. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 22 Feb. 2024 Sheriff’s office narcotics deputies are investigating the findings, Herrin said. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 These arrests have led to a boom in court activity, with 827 felony narcotics cases filed by the district attorney out of a total of 952 presented last year through Dec. 14. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The vehicle was sent to the secondary inspection area for further investigation, where a K-9 team specializing in concealed humans and narcotics detection received permission from the taxi driver to search the vehicle. Elizabeth Pritchett, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2024 In his military career, he was focused on counter narcotics missions in Afghanistan. Andrew Wimer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 His own mother and friend accused him of supplying narcotics that killed them, Portillo said, showing text messages reflecting the accusation. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 27 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The 15-year-old died in February 2023 of a narcotic overdose and continues to be remembered by Patridge, 38, and her daughter Kirra, 7. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 27 Feb. 2024 Bodies found inside and outside Palmdale house; deaths of 4 men under investigation Jan. 16, 2024 Sheriff’s officials said their initial investigation indicates there was narcotic use at the home. Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2024 Garcia faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy to commit the sale of a narcotic substance. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 Jan. 2024 He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of violating his parole, burglary and narcotic possession. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 The Lack of A Legal Cannabis Market One of the most significant aspects of the legalization is that removing cannabis from the narcotic list would simplify operations for both medical cannabis companies and patients. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 In November, election workers in California and at least four other states received suspicious letters, some containing the powerful narcotic fentanyl. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said their initial investigation indicated there was narcotic use at the home and neighbors said the residence was a regular spot for parties. Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2024 Promotion and marketing of narcotic drugs, tobacco products, gambling, or alcohol. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 14 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'narcotic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nercotike, narkotyke, borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French narcotique, borrowed from Medieval Latin narcōticus, noun derivative of narcōticus, adjective, "dulling the senses, inducing sleep" — more at narcotic entry 2

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French narcotique "(of a drug) dulling the senses, inducing sleep," borrowed from Medieval Latin narcōticus, borrowed from Greek narkōtikós, from narkō-, variant stem of narkoûn "to benumb, deaden" + -t-, verbal adjective suffix + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at narcosis

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of narcotic was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near narcotic

Cite this Entry

“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narcotic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

narcotic

1 of 2 noun
nar·​cot·​ic när-ˈkät-ik How to pronounce narcotic (audio)
1
: a drug (as opium or morphine) that in small doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and causes sleep but in large doses has dangerous effects (as coma)
2
: something that soothes, relieves, or lulls

narcotic

2 of 2 adjective
1
: acting as or being the source of a narcotic
narcotic drugs
the opium poppy is a narcotic plant
2
: of or relating to narcotics or their use or control
narcotic laws

Medical Definition

narcotic

1 of 2 noun
nar·​cot·​ic när-ˈkät-ik How to pronounce narcotic (audio)
1
: a drug (as codeine, methadone, or morphine) that in moderate doses dulls the senses, relieves pain, and induces profound sleep but in excessive doses causes stupor, coma, or convulsions
2
: a drug (as marijuana or LSD) subject to restriction similar to that of addictive narcotics whether in fact physiologically addictive and narcotic or not

narcotic

2 of 2 adjective
1
: having the properties of, being, or yielding a narcotic
narcotic analgesics
… pills containing two common narcotic painkillers—hydrocodone and oxycodone—accounted for about 39 percent of drugs identified in criminal cases that involved prescription medications, according to statistics from the county Crime Laboratory.David Riley, Rochester (New York) Democrat and Chronicle
heroin and other illicit narcotic drugs
2
a
: of, involving, or concerned with narcotics : relating to the use of narcotics
narcotic addiction
Naltrexone is a narcotic antagonist that prevents illicit drugs from binding to receptors in the brain without producing any high itself.Mike Clary, The Los Angeles Times
b
: produced by narcotics
narcotic analgesia
3
: involving, affecting, or intended for people addicted to or dependent on narcotics
narcotic rehab programs
narcotic withdrawal

More from Merriam-Webster on narcotic

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