Anesthetize

/əˈnɛs.θə.taɪz/
verb

To give a person or animal a drug that makes them unable to feel pain or conscious.

Surgeons often anesthetize patients before performing operations.
Visual representation of "anesthetize" - To give a person or animal a drug that makes them unable to feel pain or conscious.

Often appears as...

  • general anesthesia
  • local anesthesia

Usage tips

Neutral

general anesthesia, local anesthesia, anesthetize for surgery

verb

To make someone unable to feel emotions or sensations.

The news anesthetized him to the struggles around him.
Visual representation of "anesthetize" - To make someone unable to feel emotions or sensations.

Usage tips

Informal

verb

To give a person or animal a drug that makes them unable to feel pain or conscious.

Surgeons often anesthetize patients before performing operations.
Visual representation of "anesthetize" - To give a person or animal a drug that makes them unable to feel pain or conscious.

Often appears as...

  • general anesthesia
  • local anesthesia

Usage tips

Neutral

general anesthesia, local anesthesia, anesthetize for surgery

verb

To make someone unable to feel emotions or sensations.

The news anesthetized him to the struggles around him.
Visual representation of "anesthetize" - To make someone unable to feel emotions or sensations.

Usage tips

Informal

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "anesthetize"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Medical Context

'Anesthetize' is predominantly used in medical situations like surgery.

Doctors anesthetize patients before procedures.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Sensitivity

While it has a clear medical meaning, be careful using it in emotional contexts to avoid confusion.

Not everyone may understand 'anesthetize' as ‘numb’ in a metaphorical sense.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Formality

This word is primarily used in formal settings; avoid using it in casual conversation.

Consider using 'put to sleep' in an informal context.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Medical Context

'Anesthetize' is predominantly used in medical situations like surgery.

Doctors anesthetize patients before procedures.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Sensitivity

While it has a clear medical meaning, be careful using it in emotional contexts to avoid confusion.

Not everyone may understand 'anesthetize' as ‘numb’ in a metaphorical sense.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Formality

This word is primarily used in formal settings; avoid using it in casual conversation.

Consider using 'put to sleep' in an informal context.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Medical Context

'Anesthetize' is predominantly used in medical situations like surgery.

Doctors anesthetize patients before procedures.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Sensitivity

While it has a clear medical meaning, be careful using it in emotional contexts to avoid confusion.

Not everyone may understand 'anesthetize' as ‘numb’ in a metaphorical sense.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Formality

This word is primarily used in formal settings; avoid using it in casual conversation.

Consider using 'put to sleep' in an informal context.
Visual representation of the word "Anesthetize"

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