adjective

anodyne

AN-uh-dyne

Anodyne (adjective) means Deliberately bland and inoffensive, so mild that it cannot upset or interest anyone. Example: “The company issued an anodyne statement that answered nothing.”

adjective

Deliberately bland and inoffensive, so mild that it cannot upset or interest anyone.

"The company issued an anodyne statement that answered nothing."

"His speech was so anodyne that nobody could remember a word of it."

dated, medical Relieving pain.

"The old text lists several anodyne preparations for toothache."

noun

formal Something that soothes distress or takes the edge off pain.

"Routine became an anodyne for her grief."

"Music was the only anodyne he trusted."

How to Use Anodyne

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo mild and inoffensive that it says nothing at all.

When to use it

Formal and mildly critical; a favourite of political and cultural journalism.

Memory tip

The stress is on the first syllable and the last rhymes with 'wine'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

innocuous → analgesic anodized

Common pairings

anodyne statement anodyne prose anodyne response curiously anodyne

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The company issued an _____ statement that answered nothing.

Etymology

From Greek anōdynos 'painless', from an- 'without' and odynē 'pain'.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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bland innocuous inoffensive unremarkable insipid balm palliative comfort salve analgesic pain-relieving

Antonyms

provocative controversial incisive

Related Words

important normal stupid hurt relief upset sharp ordinary

Rhymes for anodyne

syne Tyne Wayne Payne Jayne Rayne Layne Phryne Dwayne Shayne Evelyne Biscayne

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does anodyne mean boring or does it mean painkilling?

Both, but the modern everyday meaning is 'blandly inoffensive', as in an anodyne press release. The painkilling sense is the older one and now appears mainly in historical or literary writing.

Is calling something anodyne an insult?

Usually yes. It implies the thing has been smoothed of anything sharp or interesting, and it is a common criticism of official statements, corporate copy and cautious writing.

What is the difference between anodyne and innocuous?

Innocuous simply means harmless and carries no complaint. Anodyne adds a note of disappointment: the thing is harmless because it has been drained of anything worth reacting to.

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