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
Curcumin Curcumin is the natural bioactive compound in turmeric, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
—
Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025
As an injection, however, the anti-inflammatory drug can mask pain and injuries that could otherwise prevent a horse from competing.
Injections of betamethasone, which come in a form called betamethasone acetate, are allowed up to 14 days before a race.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Baffert himself was suspended from racing after one of his horses, Medina Spirit, had tested positive for a common anti-inflammatory during the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
—Katie Bo Lillis, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Somehow, research has managed to deliver exosomes—an ingredient known for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties—to the masses.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anti-inflammatory
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Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025
As an injection, however, the anti-inflammatory drug can mask pain and injuries that could otherwise prevent a horse from competing.
Injections of betamethasone, which come in a form called betamethasone acetate, are allowed up to 14 days before a race.
—Matt Moret, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Baffert himself was suspended from racing after one of his horses, Medina Spirit, had tested positive for a common anti-inflammatory during the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
—Katie Bo Lillis, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Somehow, research has managed to deliver exosomes—an ingredient known for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties—to the masses.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 May 2025
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 17 May. 2025.
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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