anti-inflammatory
adjective
an·ti-in·flam·ma·to·ry
ˌan-tē-in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē 
ˌan-tī-
variants
or less commonly anti-inflammation
ˌan-tē-ˌin-flə-ˈmā-shən,
ˌan-tī-
: counteracting inflammation : used to prevent or reduce inflammation
anti-inflammatory painkillers
anti-inflammatory effects
an anti-inflammation diet
anti-inflammatory
noun
plural anti-inflammatories
Examples of anti-inflammatory in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to their warming flavor, cloves offer health benefits due to their high levels of protective plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
—
Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Mar. 2026
This may be because coffee contains other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counterbalance caffeine’s downsides over time.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
It’s also infused with squalane, glycerin, and anti-inflammatory algae extract—which all work together to plump the skin, improve texture, reduce hyperpigmentation and dark circles, support the skin barrier, and give it deep hydration.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, are widely used to reduce pain, fever and swelling.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
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Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 Mar. 2026
This may be because coffee contains other compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counterbalance caffeine’s downsides over time.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026
It’s also infused with squalane, glycerin, and anti-inflammatory algae extract—which all work together to plump the skin, improve texture, reduce hyperpigmentation and dark circles, support the skin barrier, and give it deep hydration.
—Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including aspirin, are widely used to reduce pain, fever and swelling.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anti-inflammatory
Cite this Entry
“Anti-inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-inflammatory. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anti-inflammatory
1 of 2 adjective
an·ti-in·flam·ma·to·ry
-in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-
variants
also anti-inflammation
: reducing or counteracting inflammation
Ibuprofen was the anti-inflammatory drug most commonly used, but others, including naprosyn, also were taken.—Laurie McGinley, The Wall Street Journal
Laurie McGinley, The Wall Street JournalMost anti-inflammatory drugs target the arachidonic acid cascade, which produces two major mediators of inflammatory responses, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Nonsteroidal drugs can dam only one side of the cascade—they block production of prostaglandins but leave the leukotrienes unaffected. Steroidal drugs block both routes, but their side effects can make them an undesirable, though sometimes irreplaceable, treatment.—L. Davis, Science News
L. Davis, Science NewsA recent boon to the eczema-prone is a growing array of over-the-counter cortisone anti-inflammation applications.—Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News
Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-Newsanti-inflammatory
2 of 2 noun
plural anti-inflammatories
: an anti-inflammatory agent : a drug (as aspirin or ibuprofen) that reduces inflammation
Without anti-inflammatories, gouty attacks subside on their own—but may require several painful weeks, as opposed to the day or two required with anti-inflammatories.—Harvard Medical School Health Letter
Harvard Medical School Health LetterLove words? Need even more definitions?
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