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.
Research shows that this oil has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Oct. 2025 Some inhalers in Europe are able to provide fast-acting relief and have an anti-inflammatory element, but no such product has been approved in the US. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 Garlic and fish oil both contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 2025 Ice is very anti-inflammatory and gives the illusion of tightening the pores. The Editors, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 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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