Words / C2

AN-uh-dyn/ˈænədaɪn/

Anodyne describes a remark that is so careful it becomes bland: an anodyne statement, anodyne reassurance. It will upset nobody, and often says nothing. Bland is close; anodyne is more about inoffensive public language. Anodyne as “painkiller” is older medical English — use the bland-statement sense here.

Meaning

Inoffensive and rather bland, of a statement or idea that will upset nobody.

Examples

• “The minister gave an anodyne statement and avoided the real question.”
• “Interviewers were tired of anodyne answers about “learning journeys”.”
• “The leaflet was anodyne: cheerful, vague, and empty.”

Good to know

an anodyne statement/answer. Close: bland. Not the old medical sense here.

Near in meaning

bland

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