antiviral

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​vi·​ral ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl 

ˌan-tī-

1

medical : acting, effective, or directed against viruses

an antiviral vaccine/drug

2

: used to protect a computer from viruses : antivirus

antiviral software

antiviral

2 of 2

noun

: an antiviral agent and especially a drug

antivirals used in treating influenza

Examples of antiviral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

If people do get infected, antiviral treatments like oseltamivir already exist and vaccines could follow if cases rise. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

The good news is that antiviral treatments like oseltamivir are already available if infection does occur. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Noun

Trials of the Mapp drug ​and two Gilead Sciences antivirals are due to begin in the coming weeks, according to the WHO and scientists involved in the testing. — Reuters, NBC news, 24 June 2026

Trials for two antivirals are expected to start next week, officials said. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for antiviral

• retroviral
• adenoviral
• antiretroviral
• chiral
• spiral
• viral

Medical Definition

antiviral

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​vi·​ral -ˈvi-rəl 

variants also antivirus

-rəs 

: acting, effective, or directed against viruses

antiviral drugs

antiviral

2 of 2 noun

: an antiviral agent and especially a drug