1. drugs that dull the senses and can cause addiction, especially illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine
Usage: often used in legal or law enforcement contexts
2. medical drugs derived from opium that relieve pain and cause drowsiness
Usage: medical; technical

Examples

• The police found narcotics hidden in the car’s trunk.
• He was arrested for possession of narcotics.
• The narcotics unit works to combat drug trafficking.
• Doctors prescribe narcotics only for severe pain.
• The hospital has strict policies for storing narcotics.
• Narcotics can be highly addictive if misused.
• The customs officer searched for narcotics at the border.