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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anti-inflammatory

• nondiscriminatory
• thermoregulatory
• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory

Medical Definition

anti-inflammatory

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti-in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry -in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

variants also anti-inflammation

-ˌin-flə-ˈmā-shən 

: 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