ISEE/SSAT Vocabulary Builder›Words›A›anodyne
ISEE/SSAThard
anodyne
soothing or blandly inoffensive
Synonyms
- soothing
- bland
- inoffensive
Antonyms
- provocative
- irritating
- jarring
anodyne in a sentence
The mayor gave an anodyne speech that avoided every disputed issue.
The article's anodyne conclusion pleased readers who disliked controversy.
Where it comes from
From Greek anodynos, meaning 'free from pain.'
Memory hook
ANODYNE sounds like 'no pain': an anodyne comment soothes and avoids trouble.
Word parts
- a/an — without/lack of
anodyne: an- (without) + odyne (pain)
Read it in context
- The Returning Hinge Science
- The Final Impression Arts
- The Negotiators of Cambrai History