fentanyl

noun
fen·​ta·​nyl | \ ˈfen-tə-ˌnil How to pronounce fentanyl (audio) \

Definition of fentanyl

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C22H28N2O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C22H28N2O·C6H8O7 is administered orally or parenterally (as by intravenous or epidural injection)

Examples of fentanyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Police found fentanyl in a jar, folded in a piece of foil, near Lukomski's bed. Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A Brookfield man died after trying heroin for the first time. His friend, a Delafield man, has been charged with his death.," 10 Sep. 2019 The commissioner's office said during the last five years only 12 of 78,000 tests were positive for substances classified as opioids and opiates, a group that includes oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine and fentanyl. CBS News, "MLB and player's union to discuss opioid testing after Tyler Skaggs death," 7 Sep. 2019 Heroin overdoses decreased from eight through the end of August 2018 to six in that same period in 2019, whereas fentanyl overdoses dropped from 27 to 14, a decrease of about 48 percent. Jon Kelvey, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Drug, alcohol overdoses in Carroll County continue downward year-over-year trend, data show," 7 Sep. 2019 In 2013, the state had only 30 deaths involving fentanyl; that number rose to 374 in 2017. Fox News, "Buttigieg focus on mental health resonating in New Hampshire," 4 Sep. 2019 According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), fentanyl overdose deaths increased 47% between 2016 and 2017. Brittney Mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Federal Prosecutors Charged a Man in Connection With Mac Miller's Overdose Death," 4 Sep. 2019 The dramatic rise in fentanyl deaths has caught many by surprise. Matt Mccarthy, USA TODAY, "Ben Westhoff's 'Fentanyl, Inc.' confronts horrible truths about America's opioid epidemic," 2 Sep. 2019 Thomas also sold an inmate 10 fentanyl polls on April 13 and heroin to another inmate on April 15, according to the indictment. Adam Ferrise, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Jail officers, Heartless Felons gang members charged in drug ring inside troubled jail," 28 Aug. 2019 The 52 packages shipped on one day included 35,000 fentanyl-laced pills in total. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Alleged kingpin of massive, deadly fentanyl-laced pill scheme stands trial," 12 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fentanyl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of fentanyl

1964, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for fentanyl

probably alteration of phenethyl, a monovalent radical derived from ethylbenzine, from phen- + ethyl

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More Definitions for fentanyl

fentanyl

noun
fen·​ta·​nyl | \ ˈfent-ᵊn-ˌil How to pronounce fentanyl (audio) \

Medical Definition of fentanyl

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C22H28N2O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C22H28N2O·C6H8O7 is administered orally or parenterally

Note: Fentanyl is marketed under the trademark Actiq.