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 Ice, anti-inflammatory meds, and possibly a brace can help, as can physical therapy exercises that strengthen the muscles that stabilize it, Dr. Philip says. Tina Donvito, SELF, 14 Mar. 2024 In general, an anti-inflammatory diet like the Mediterranean or DASH diet might keep blood sugar in check, as well. Sarah Garone, Health, 14 Mar. 2024 The man was treated with antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory medications before he was instructed to follow up with an infectious diseases clinic, the report stated. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 The man was treated with antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory medications, the report says, and instructed to follow up with an infectious diseases clinic. Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The sun exposure can lead to symptoms in people who take some antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and diuretics used to treat heart conditions.4 How to Treat Heat Rash This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Daniel More, Verywell Health, 8 Mar. 2024 There’s the Soft Serve After Shave Oil, which prevents razor burn and ingrown hairs with a blend of anti-inflammatory peptides to reduce redness and heal bumps, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and strawberry that’s naturally loaded with AHAs to exfoliate. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 As for the anti-inflammatory drug, PETA insisted its insider never missed a dose he’d been assigned to provide and even at one point notified an AFA supervisor that the medication had run out. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 Wound healing Tamanu oil’s potential anti-inflammatory benefits are the reason researchers have now turned their attention to its ability to heal wounds. Sophia Panych, Allure, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anti-inflammatory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near anti-inflammatory

Cite this Entry

“Anti-inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-inflammatory. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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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