anodyne

[ an-uh-dahyn ]

noun

1. a medicine that relieves or allays pain.
2. anything that relieves distress or pain:

   The music was an anodyne to his grief.

adjective

1. relieving pain:

   a book detailing the anodyne properties of certain plants.

2. soothing to the mind or feelings:

   the anodyne effects of a month's vacation.

3. weakened and made bland, as to avoid harm or controversy:

   anodyne explanations that shelter children from the brutal truth.

anodyne

/ ˈænəˌdaɪn /

noun

1. a drug that relieves pain; analgesic
2. anything that alleviates mental distress

adjective

1. capable of relieving pain or distress

Other Words From

• an·o·dyn·ic [an-, uh, -, din, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anodyne¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin anōdynus, from Greek anṓdynos “free from pain, soothing pain,” equivalent to an- + ōdyn- (stem of odýnē “pain,” with lengthening of o ) + -os adjective suffix; an- ¹, -odynia ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of anodyne¹

C16: from Latin anōdynus, from Greek anōdunos painless, from an- + odunē pain

Example Sentences

Last week’s revelation that Jason Hughes had in fact been paid nearly $10 million through the city’s acquisition of two downtown high rises has made a lot of previously anodyne quotes retroactively hysterical.

From Voice of San Diego

Tuesday’s revelation that Hughes had in fact been paid nearly $10 million through the city’s acquisition of two downtown high rises has made a lot of previously anodyne quotes retroactively hysterical.

From Voice of San Diego

The LAFCO Twitter account retweeted a link to the article, alongside a seemingly anodyne comment in which it promoted an online video of a discussion of the issue the op-ed was about.

From Voice of San Diego

The LAFCO Twitter account retweeted a link to the article, alongside an seemingly anodyne comment in which it promoted an online video of a discussion of the issue the op-ed was about.

From Voice of San Diego

One is that what had recently been an extremely anodyne stance for companies to embrace — that voting is good — is now, somehow, construed as worthy of political retaliation.

From Washington Post

The person to blame for all this is the anodyne British pop star Gary Barlow.

From The Daily Beast

Today's stars are secondary—anonymous, anodyne action figures overwhelmed by special effects.

From The Daily Beast

And are Iranian overtures to France, especially to French business, anodyne or a way to undermine Western resolve?

From The Daily Beast

Administration officials have repeatedly issued anodyne statements assuring us that the NSA programs do not “target” Americans.

From The Daily Beast

But this isn't your usual anodyne interfaith Seder, where all is prescribed by ritual and controversial topics are avoided.

From The Daily Beast

Pyramidon is a proprietary preparation derived from, and having the antipyretic and anodyne properties of, antipyrin.

From Project Gutenberg

One fluid drachm is equal in anodyne power to one-eighth grain of morphin.

From Project Gutenberg

Papine is the anodyne or pain-relieving principle of opium, the narcotic and convulsive elements being eliminated.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the only anodyne that nature had in her laboratory for a broken heart; and she slept as tranquilly as a little child.

From Project Gutenberg

At once a frenzy and an anodyne, I have found in it the inspiration of my genius in its later development.

From Project Gutenberg