fentanyl

[ fen-tuh-nil ]

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.

fentanyl

/ ˈfɛntəˌnaɪl /

noun

1. a narcotic drug used in medicine to relieve pain

Word History and Origins

Origin of fentanyl¹

First recorded in 1960–65; contraction and respelling of the chemical name N-(1-phenethyl-4-piperidyl)propionanilide

Example Sentences

A Santa Clarita man was charged this week in what federal prosecutors believe is the country’s first death due to a synthetic opioid three times stronger than fentanyl.

From Los Angeles Times

Protonitazene, which is reportedly three times stronger than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, has been sold over the internet in recent years, according to a release from the U.S. attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

A federal complaint from the Southern District of New York charged two men with distributing fentanyl mixed with protonitazene to a confidential source working with law enforcement in April.

From Los Angeles Times

The Justice Department previously returned an indictment against El Mencho in April 2022, charging him with leading a continuing criminal enterprise to manufacture and distribute fentanyl for importation into the U.S., according to the Department of Justice.

From Los Angeles Times

He has promised to make public safety his priority, including plans to declare a fentanyl state of emergency on his first day in office.

From Los Angeles Times