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GRE vocabulary

anodyne

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore A words

unlikely to cause offense; bland and inoffensive

Word origin: From Greek anodynos, free from pain (an- without plus odyne pain).

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In a sentence

Anodyne in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing anodyne in a sentence.

The politician gave an anodyne speech that pleased no one and angered no one.

The official's anodyne remarks offered reassurance without addressing a single hard question.

Synonyms
innocuousblandsoothing
Antonyms
provocativeoffensivecontroversial

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Question 1 of 3

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Verbal · Text Completion

The committee's report was praised for its candor, yet its central recommendation was so blank that administrators could cite it to justify nearly any policy they had already resolved to pursue.

Select the word that best completes the sentence.

Usage & nuance

Using “anodyne” well

Anodyne describes something deliberately bland and inoffensive, often with a faintly critical edge implying blandness to the point of vacuity. As a noun it can also mean a painkiller.

Common questions

Questions about “anodyne”

Anodyne (adjective) means unlikely to cause offense; bland and inoffensive
Here is anodyne used in an example sentence: "The politician gave an anodyne speech that pleased no one and angered no one." Another example: "The official's anodyne remarks offered reassurance without addressing a single hard question."
Common synonyms for anodyne include innocuous, bland, soothing.
Antonyms of anodyne include provocative, offensive, controversial.
Anodyne clusters with innocuous, bland, and soothing in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms provocative, offensive, and controversial mark the edge a passage may contrast against it.
Yes. Anodyne is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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