opioid
1 of 2noun
opi·oid ˈō-pē-ˌȯid 
plural opioids
: a natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic substance that typically binds to the same cell receptors as opium and produces similar narcotic effects (such as sedation, pain relief, slowed breathing, and euphoria):
a
or less commonly opioid peptide : any of various of endogenous polypeptides (such as an endorphin or enkephalin) produced by neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system
The people who rated pain the lowest were those whose brains began producing natural painkillers called opioids the fastest …
John O'Neil
John O'Neil b
: any of various opiates (such as morphine), semisynthetic opiate derivatives (such as heroin, hydrocodone, or oxycodone), or synthetic preparations (such as fentanyl or methadone) that may be used illicitly for their narcotic properties and are associated with physiological tolerance (see tolerance sense 4a(1)), physical and psychological dependence, or addiction upon repeated or prolonged use
… fentanyl, a synthetic opioid at least 75 times more potent than morphine. Ryan Trimble and Eric S. Peterson
Ryan Trimble and Eric S. PetersonNaltrexone is an opioid antagonist used for the treatment of heroin addiction. Scientific American
Scientific AmericanThe prototypical opioids are morphine and codeine (which is milder than morphine). Harvard Health Letter
Harvard Health LetterWhen Walker County was identified as the epicenter of Alabama's opioid crisis, it was no surprise to residents who watched as drugs brought death and devastation down upon their families, neighbors and communities. Ashley Remkus
Ashley RemkusNote: The word opioid was originally used only for morphine-like substances not derived from opium, but it has now become widely accepted as a broader term encompassing any substance—natural or synthetic, opium-derived or not—that binds to opiate cell receptors and induces sedation, analgesia, and euphoria.
opioid
2 of 2adjective
: possessing narcotic properties characteristic of opiates : of, relating to, involving, or being an opioid
opioid drugs
opioid addiction
endogenous opioid endorphins
opioid cell receptors
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2022 But as with any opioid, quitting Suboxone can produce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2022 The opioid, which is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the CDC, has also been found in marijuana. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2022 Oxycodone is a prescription opioid that treats pain but can become highly addictive, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states. Diana Dasrath, NBC News, 16 July 2022 Another example is Purdue Pharma and its characterization of OxyContin as a non-addictive opioid. Robert Lindner, Forbes, 7 July 2022 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half a million people died between 1999–2019 from an overdose involving any opioid. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2022 The increasing lethality is driven by the nationwide spread of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is also found mixed with other illicit drugs. Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 Hayden Panettiere, who made a splash as a child actor in the early 2000s in films including Remember the Titans (2000) and Raising Helen (2004), just opened up about her opioid and alcohol addiction, which went on for years. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 6 July 2022 Corrinne Hess, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 In Alaska, overdoses involving fentanyl accounted for about 75% of all fatal opioid overdoses last year, according to Michael Troster, Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas unit. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2022 Jail medical staff was able to revive the other inmate with the opioid reversing drug Naloxone but were unsuccessful in reviving Moore. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2022 Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell, though, called the opioid case one of his proudest achievements. Caleb Stultz, The Courier-Journal, 1 Sep. 2022 Moreover, several of those aforementioned groups already run large-scale opioid replacement treatment programs, needle exchanges and Narcan trainings throughout their communities. Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Tong said that since 2019 the state has helped in the national effort to recover over $40 billion dollars through legal action against opioid drug manufacturers, which is the second largest cash recovery in history. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2022 As part of the $808 million settlement agreement with the three largest opioid distributors in Ohio, Shaker can expect to receive annual payments of about $9,060 for the next 18 years, City Finance Director John Potts told council. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2022 For the September issue, Zachary Siegel, himself a recovered opioid addict, spoke with two participants from the surgical trial. Zachary Siegel, Harper’s Magazine , 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
Overdose deaths in Alaska have risen with the rising prominence of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be lethal even in small amounts. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 31 Aug. 2022 But as with any opioid, quitting Suboxone can produce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2022 The opioid, which is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the CDC, has also been found in marijuana. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2022 Oxycodone is a prescription opioid that treats pain but can become highly addictive, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states. Diana Dasrath, NBC News, 16 July 2022 Another example is Purdue Pharma and its characterization of OxyContin as a non-addictive opioid. Robert Lindner, Forbes, 7 July 2022 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half a million people died between 1999–2019 from an overdose involving any opioid. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 18 Aug. 2022 The increasing lethality is driven by the nationwide spread of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is also found mixed with other illicit drugs. Joanna Slater, Washington Post, 5 Aug. 2022 Hayden Panettiere, who made a splash as a child actor in the early 2000s in films including Remember the Titans (2000) and Raising Helen (2004), just opened up about her opioid and alcohol addiction, which went on for years. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 6 July 2022 Adjective
Wisconsin Republicans passed their own plan Thursday for $31 million in opioid settlement funds, rejecting the Evers administration's proposal and instead directing more money to law enforcement. Corrinne Hess, Journal Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 In Alaska, overdoses involving fentanyl accounted for about 75% of all fatal opioid overdoses last year, according to Michael Troster, Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas unit. Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Sep. 2022 Jail medical staff was able to revive the other inmate with the opioid reversing drug Naloxone but were unsuccessful in reviving Moore. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2022 Jefferson County Attorney Mike O'Connell, though, called the opioid case one of his proudest achievements. Caleb Stultz, The Courier-Journal, 1 Sep. 2022 Moreover, several of those aforementioned groups already run large-scale opioid replacement treatment programs, needle exchanges and Narcan trainings throughout their communities. Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2022 Tong said that since 2019 the state has helped in the national effort to recover over $40 billion dollars through legal action against opioid drug manufacturers, which is the second largest cash recovery in history. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2022 As part of the $808 million settlement agreement with the three largest opioid distributors in Ohio, Shaker can expect to receive annual payments of about $9,060 for the next 18 years, City Finance Director John Potts told council. Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 30 Aug. 2022 For the September issue, Zachary Siegel, himself a recovered opioid addict, spoke with two participants from the surgical trial. Zachary Siegel, Harper’s Magazine , 30 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
opium + -oid entry 1
Adjective
opium + -oid entry 2
First Known Use
Noun
1957, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
1967, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing opioid
Medical Definition
opioid 1 of 2
adjective
opi·oid ˈō-pē-ˌȯid
: possessing narcotic properties characteristic of opiates : of, relating to, involving, or being an opioid
opioid drugs
opioid addiction
endogenous opioid endorphins
opioid cell receptors
opioid
2 of 2noun
: a natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic substance that typically binds to the same cell receptors as opium and produces similar narcotic effects (as sedation, pain relief, slowed breathing, and euphoria):
a
also opioid peptide : any of various of endogenous polypeptides (as an endorphin or enkephalin) produced by neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system
b
: any of various opiates (as morphine), semisynthetic opiate derivatives (as heroin, hydrocodone, or oxycodone), or synthetic preparations (as fentanyl or methadone) that may be used illicitly for their narcotic properties and are associated with physiological tolerance (see tolerance sense 1), physical and psychological dependence, or addiction upon repeated or prolonged use
… fentanyl, a synthetic opioid at least 75 times more potent than morphine. Ryan Trimble and Eric S. Peterson
Ryan Trimble and Eric S. PetersonThe prototypical opioids are morphine and codeine (which is milder than morphine). Harvard Health Letter
Harvard Health LetterNote: The word opioid was originally used only for morphine-like substances not derived from opium, but it has now become widely accepted as a broader term encompassing any substance—natural or synthetic, opium-derived or not—that binds to opiate cell receptors and induces sedation, analgesia, and euphoria.