anodyne

American  

[an-uh-dahyn] / ˈæn əˌdaɪn /

noun

1. a medicine that relieves or allays pain.

2. anything that relieves distress or pain.

   The music was an anodyne to his grief.

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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 British  

/ ˈænəˌdaɪn /

noun

1. a drug that relieves pain; analgesic

2. anything that alleviates mental distress

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adjective

1. capable of relieving pain or distress

Other Word Forms

• anodynic adjective

Etymology

Origin of anodyne

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. )

Example Sentences

He doesn’t actually understand the corporate world but treats it like a game, filling out forms, writing anodyne requests to lawyers and other middlemen, steadily accumulating positions in public companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crowe’s do-over feature, in contrast, is anodyne and respectful; the band is even given room to refute some of the facts Lewis included in his story.

From Los Angeles Times

While seemingly anodyne, all three would spark political controversy for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable, a council of Big Business CEOs, have registered relatively anodyne concerns about the tariffs.

From Los Angeles Times

Neither is watching interviews and documentaries about its justices, regardless of how anodyne their subjects may appear.

From Salon