1. a drug containing opium or its derivatives, used to relieve pain
Usage: medical
2. something that dulls the senses or induces inactivity
Usage: figurative

1. containing opium or its derivatives
Usage: medical
2. causing dullness or inactivity
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The doctor prescribed an opiate for her severe back pain.
• Morphine is a powerful opiate used in hospitals.
• Television became an opiate for the masses.
• The opiate medication made him drowsy.
• She worried about becoming dependent on opiate painkillers.
• The warm bath had an opiate effect on her tired muscles.
• Critics called social media an opiate that distracted people from real issues.