nar·cot·ic
när-ˈkä-tik 
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
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
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
Owen Gleiberman2
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
Stacey AdamsNaltrexone is a narcotic antagonist that prevents illicit drugs from binding to receptors in the brain without producing any high itself.—Mike Clary
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
Bert GreeneThe somnolent atmosphere, typical of his last pictures, conveys a sense of an almost narcotic trance.—Stephen Jones
Stephen Jones3
: involving, affecting, or intended for people addicted to or dependent on narcotics
narcotic rehab programs
narcotic withdrawal
Synonyms
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
Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
The estimated street value of the narcotics is thought to be $5,712,000, according to DPS.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024
Fleming was also being charged on suspicion of dangerous drug possession or use, false report to law enforcement, drug paraphernalia possession or use, and narcotic drug possession or use, according to jail records.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for narcotic 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
He was found guilty of participating in a narcotics conspiracy involving at least 11 kilograms of narcotics at a bench trial in February.
—Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 5 Nov. 2024
The estimated street value of the narcotics is thought to be $5,712,000, according to DPS.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Legend has it that Apollo prevented his muse priestess from brewing, imbibing or smoking laurel leaves, which have a mild narcotic property.
—Alison Habens, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2024
Fleming was also being charged on suspicion of dangerous drug possession or use, false report to law enforcement, drug paraphernalia possession or use, and narcotic drug possession or use, according to jail records.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for narcotic
Dictionary Entries Near narcotic
Cite this Entry
“Narcotic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/narcotic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
narcotic
1 of 2 noun
nar·cot·ic
när-ˈkät-ik
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 adjective1
: 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
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 adjective1
: 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
David Riley, Rochester (New York) Democrat and Chronicleheroin 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
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share