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anabolic steroid
noun
: any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that are derivatives of testosterone, are used medically especially to promote tissue growth, and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance
Examples of anabolic steroid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ketamine is in the same schedule as drugs such as anabolic steroids and testosterone.
—Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
On Tuesday afternoon Berhan, 30, pleaded guilty to three felonies: conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and possession with intent to distribute anabolic steroids.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2024
They were developed in the early 2000s in an attempt to find an alternative to anabolic steroids in medical applications, such as treating bone loss and muscle wasting caused by osteoporosis, cancer, heart failure, and other diseases.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024
Patrick Berhan was charged Wednesday with possessing anabolic steroids with intent to distribute them in May 2021, a felony that carries up to 10 years in federal prison and a $500,000 maximum fine.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
Also in 2002, Dr. Catlin identified for the first time a designer anabolic steroid, norbolethone, in an athlete’s urine after it had been introduced to athletes at Balco by the chemist Patrick Arnold.
—Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024
In August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration downgrade marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, classifying it alongside anabolic steroids, testosterone and ketamine — and loosening federal scrutiny.
—John Aguilar, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2024
Oxymetholone is an anabolic steroid that can promote muscle gain and strength for people with anemia.
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 16 June 2023
Testosterone Supplements Taking supplemental testosterone, either testosterone or anabolic steroids approved by the Food and Drug Administration, to bulk up muscle or boost stamina may contribute to male infertility.
—Karen Pallarito, Health, 12 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anabolic steroid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near anabolic steroid
Cite this Entry
“Anabolic steroid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anabolic%20steroid. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Kids Definition
anabolic steroid
noun
: any of several man-made hormones that are used in medicine to help tissue grow, that are sometimes abused by athletes to increase muscle size and strength, and that may have harmful effects (as stunted growth in teenagers)
Medical Definition
anabolic steroid
noun
: any of a group of usually synthetic hormones that are derivatives of testosterone, are used medically especially to promote tissue growth, and are sometimes abused by athletes to increase the size and strength of their muscles and improve endurance
More from Merriam-Webster on anabolic steroid
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anabolic steroid
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