anti-inflammatory

adjective

an·​ti-in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry ˌan-tē-in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce anti-inflammatory (audio)
ˌan-tī-
variants or less commonly anti-inflammation
ˌan-tē-ˌin-flə-ˈmā-shən,
ˌan-tī- How to pronounce anti-inflammatory (audio)
: 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
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.
Camel milk may hold real potential as a supplementary treatment for allergic asthma, especially due to its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties. New Atlas, 6 July 2025 On top of its natural finish, this foundation features the oil-absorbing properties of lentil seed oil and kaolin clay, while niacinamide acts as an anti-inflammatory blemish buster. Deanna Pai, Allure, 4 July 2025 Non-steroid anti-inflammatory creams: Medications like Protopic (tacrolimus) or Elidel (pimecrolimus) calm the skin's immune response, reducing irritation.5 Combination products: Prescription creams or lotions that include an antifungal and a corticosteroid to treat yeast and inflammation together. Brandi Jones, Health, 3 July 2025 But the sight of it in San Francisco was proof of how much this spice had bubbled in popularity owing to its anti-inflammatory health benefits. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for anti-inflammatory

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-inflammatory was in 1736

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Cite this Entry

“Anti-inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-inflammatory. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

anti-inflammatory

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti-in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry -in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce anti-inflammatory (audio)
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
Most 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
A 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

anti-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

More from Merriam-Webster on anti-inflammatory

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