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opioid

[ oh-pee-oid ]

noun

Biochemistry, Pharmacology.
  1. an opiate, or any similar synthetic compound: formerly referring only to the latter, but now the predominant term for both the opium-derived and synthetically produced substances:

    Illicit use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl is on the rise.

    The opium poppy is the source for all natural opioids.

  2. any opiumlike substance:

    Have any opioids been detected in poppies that do not contain opium?

  3. any of a group of natural substances, as the endorphins, produced by the body in increased amounts in response to stress and pain.


adjective

  1. pertaining to such a substance:

    opioid drugs such as heroin and oxycodone;

    opioid neuropeptides.

opioid

/ ˈəʊɪˌɔɪ /

noun

    1. any of a group of substances that resemble morphine in their physiological or pharmacological effects, esp in their pain-relieving properties
    2. modifier of or relating to such substances

      opioid analgesic

      opioid receptor

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of opioid1

First recorded in 1955–60; opi(um) + -oid
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

They had been murdered by 35-year-old Luke D'Wit, a family friend who had laced their medication with the opioid painkiller fentanyl after using fake identities to manipulate them.

From

"It's often very worrying types of drugs that are finding their ways in and synthetic opioid, Nitazene, might have been behind some of the tragic deaths at the prison," Mr Taylor added.

From

Justice Department after allegations that the pharmacy chain illegally filled millions of invalid prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances.

From

Although the decrease could not be contributed to one factor, it said, a comprehensive effort to tackle the crisis involving fentanyl and other opioids seems to be making a difference.

From

Under an excutive order, the White House said the measures were aimed at "addressing the synthetic opioid supply chain" which it said "play a significant role in the synthetic opioid crisis in the US".

From

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