Anodyne — Word of the Day November 19, 2026

Definition

Not likely to provoke dissent or offence; soothing; painless. An anodyne statement is deliberately bland to avoid controversy.

“The chairman's anodyne statement of condolences satisfied no one who had actually been affected.”

From Latin anodynus, from Greek anodunos (free from pain), from an- (without) + odune (pain).

A₁N₁O₁D₂Y₄N₁E₁

ANODYNE scores 11 points in Scrabble.