If you describe something as anodyne, you are criticizing it because it has no strong characteristics and is not likely to excite, interest, or upset anyone.
[formal, disapproval]
Their quarterly meetings were anodyne affairs.
Synonyms: bland, dull, boring, insipid More Synonyms of anodyne
More Synonyms of anodyne
anodyne in British English
(ˈænəˌdaɪn)
noun
1.
a drug that relieves pain; analgesic
2.
anything that alleviates mental distress
adjective
3.
capable of relieving pain or distress
Word origin
C16: from Latin anōdynus, from Greek anōdunos painless, from an- + odunē pain
anodyne in American English
(ˈænoʊˌdaɪn; ˈænəˌdaɪn)
adjective
1.
relieving or lessening pain; soothing
2.
lacking zest, vigor, etc.; bland; insipid
noun
3.
anything that relieves pain or soothes
Derived forms
anodynic (ˌanoˈdynic) (ˌænəˈdɪnɪk)
adjective
Word origin
L anodynus < Gr anōdynos < an-, without + odynē, pain
Examples of 'anodyne' in a sentence
anodyne
Something anodyne about turning away from sin and rejecting evil.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
And the music is horrifically anodyne.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I'd rather stand for something than be anodyne.
Corporate Research Foundation TOP MARKETING AND MEDIA COMPANIES IN THE UK (2002)
It does mean, though, that he runs the risk of smothering the most anodyne comment with the pillow of portent.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
(adjective)
Definition
neutral
Their quarterly meetings were anodyne affairs.
Synonyms
bland
It's easy on the ear but bland and forgettable.
dull
They can both be rather dull.
boring
boring television programmes
insipid
She pretended to be meek and insipid so that they would underestimate her.
They gave an insipid opening performance in a nil-nil draw.
unexciting
uninspiring
Her speech on the economy was uninspiring.
uninteresting
Why did he choose these pale, nerveless, uninteresting people?
mind-numbing (informal)
(noun)
Definition
something that relieves pain or distress
Leisure is a kind of anodyne.
Synonyms
painkiller
Try a painkiller such as paracetamol.
narcotic
He appears to be under the influence of some sort of narcotic.
palliative
Insulin merely acts as a palliative.
analgesic
The hospital advised an analgesic for shoulder pains.
pain reliever
Additional synonyms
in the sense of analgesic
Definition
a drug that relieves pain
The hospital advised an analgesic for shoulder pains.