Library / English Dictionary

ADDICTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Causing or characterized by addiction

Example:

addictive behavior

Synonyms:

addictive; habit-forming

Classified under:

Adjectives

Antonym:

nonaddictive (not causing or characterized by addiction)

Derivation:

addict (to cause (someone or oneself) to become dependent (on something, especially a narcotic drug))

Credits

 Context examples: 

Dextromethorphan exhibits antitussive activity and is devoid of analgesic or addictive property.

(Dextromethorphan, NCI Thesaurus)

Heroin is very addictive and it is illegal to use or sell it in the United States.

(Diacetylmorphine, NCI Dictionary)

Upon administration of the patch, nicotine is slowly released into the bloodstream and, although nicotine binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors at the autonomic ganglia, adrenal medulla and at neuromuscular junctions as well, the binding of nicotine to the receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) appears to be responsible for the addictive nature of nicotine.

(Nicotine patch, NCI Thesaurus)

Although nicotine binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors at the autonomic ganglia, adrenal medulla and at neuromuscular junctions as well, the binding of nicotine to the receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) appears to be responsible for the addictive nature of nicotine.

(Nicotine nasal spray, NCI Thesaurus)

This makes it very addictive.

(Heroin, NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse)

Upon administration of the lozenge, nicotine is released and, although nicotine binds to nicotinic cholinergic receptors at the autonomic ganglia, adrenal medulla and at neuromuscular junctions as well, the binding of nicotine to the receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) appears to be responsible for the addictive nature of nicotine.

(Nicotine lozenge, NCI Thesaurus)

In a study, a team of researchers at Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry, in collaboration with a group at Aarhus University in Denmark, has shown a strong association between increased behavioural impulsivity in young adults and abnormalities in nerve cells in the putamen, a key brain region involved in addictive disorders.

(Young people at risk of addiction show differences in key brain region, University of Cambridge)

When misused or abused, opioid pain relievers can be addictive and dangerous.

(Designing more effective opioids, NIH)