morphine

noun

mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn How to pronounce morphine (audio)
: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of a soluble salt (such as a hydrochloride or a sulfate) as an analgesic and sedative

Examples of morphine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Fentanyl use has surged in California in recent years, and the death toll from the drug — which is 100 times more powerful than morphine — has risen as well. Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024 Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2024 Law enforcement authorities in the District and elsewhere have made targeting fentanyl a priority, noting the synthetic opioid is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine and up 50 times more potent than heroin. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2024 Like much of the nation, San Diego County has been grappling with skyrocketing rates of overdoses and deaths attributed to the powerful synthetic opioid, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin, 100 times stronger than morphine and can be lethal in tiny doses. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2024 Instead, records for the Schedule II drugs like fentanyl, morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone were held in the same inventory as any other medication. USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 For example, records detailing the receipt of fentanyl, ketamine, morphine, and Ambien at the White House’s pharmacy were handwritten, illegible, crossed-out, and error-filled, the report said. STAT+: Exclusive analysis of biopharma, health policy, and the life sciences. Brittany Trang, STAT, 23 Jan. 2024 For instance, aspirin was derived from a compound for a willow tree; morphine and codeine come from poppy plants; penicillin comes from a kind of mold; and azithromycin – commonly called Z-Pak – comes from a bacterium. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2024 The drug, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can be up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times that of morphine. Julie Wernau, WSJ, 3 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'morphine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Morpheus

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of morphine was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near morphine

Cite this Entry

“Morphine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/morphine. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

morphine

noun
mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn How to pronounce morphine (audio)
: a bitter white habit-forming narcotic drug made from opium and used especially to deaden pain
Etymology

derived from Morpheus "Greek god of dreams"

Medical Definition

morphine

noun
mor·​phine ˈmȯr-ˌfēn How to pronounce morphine (audio)
: a bitter crystalline addictive narcotic base C17H19NO3 that is the principal alkaloid of opium and is used in the form of its hydrated sulfate (C17H19NO3)2·H2SO4·5H2O or hydrated hydrochloride C17H19NO3·HCl·3H2O as an analgesic and sedative

More from Merriam-Webster on morphine

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