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 In traditional recipes, cooked chickpeas are pureed and blended with other anti-inflammatory superfoods—including extra virgin olive oil, tahini, garlic, and lemon.1 Adding sweet ingredients, like cocoa and sugar, to make a dessert hummus is often a healthier option than other sweet treats. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 24 Sep. 2023 Ginger Extract Ginger extract can produce powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that will prevent oxidative damage and stress to the joints. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023 Spirulina, a blue algae chock-full of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and restorative actions. Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2023 According to a survey of 1,123 pharmacists conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, anti-inflammatory drugs, antimicrobials, hormonal medications and oral liquid medicines are also hard to come by. Shi En Kim, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2023 Taking supplements with ashwagandha, which has been shown to reduce stress, support healthy cortisol, and enhance sleep quality, and has anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the scalp from environmental stressors and reduces inflammation around the follicles, according to Dr. Green. Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2023 However, the key difference is ibuprofen is also a more potent anti-inflammatory medication, helpful for swelling that occurs with fevers. Erica Jackson Curran, Parents, 14 Sep. 2023 The cherry blossom flower extract also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that make for a calming masking experience. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2023 The most common cause of peptic ulcers is long-term use of anti-inflammatory pain relievers like aspirin or ibuprofen, according to Dr. Lawrence Kosinski of the American Gastroenterological Association. Jonel Aleccia, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023 See More

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 27 Sep. 2023.

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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