antidote

noun

an·​ti·​dote ˈan-ti-ˌdōt How to pronounce antidote (audio)
Synonyms of antidotenext
1
: a remedy to counteract the effects of poison
needed the antidote for the snake's venom
2
: something that relieves, prevents, or counteracts
an antidote to boredom
antidote transitive verb

Examples of antidote in a Sentence

There is no antidote to this poison. For him, racing motorcycles is a great antidote to boredom.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Oral histories are the inner chambers of official records, the antidote to the historical amnesia that continues to plague us. Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026 Keep shopping for cold-hand antidotes from Amazon, below. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026 Outcry is meant as an antidote to those feelings of powerlessness. Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026 This mist reminds me of being freshly showered and curled up under layers of blankets—the perfect antidote to freezing temperatures outside. Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for antidote

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antidot, from Latin antidotum, from Greek antidotos, from feminine of antidotos given as an antidote, from antididonai to give as an antidote, from anti- + didonai to give — more at date

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of antidote was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Antidote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidote. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

antidote

noun
an·​ti·​dote ˈant-i-ˌdōt How to pronounce antidote (audio)
: a remedy to counteract the effects of poison
antidotal
ˌant-i-ˈdōt-ᵊl
adjective
antidotally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

Medical Definition

antidote

noun
an·​ti·​dote ˈant-i-ˌdōt How to pronounce antidote (audio)
: a remedy that counteracts the effects of poison

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