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anti-vaccine

adjective

ˌan-tē-vak-ˈsēn
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce anti-vaccine (audio)
-ˈvak-ˌsēn
variants or less commonly antivaccine
: opposed to the use of vaccines
A handful of parents and anti-vaccine activists told lawmakers … that they believe vaccines are responsible for countless cases of autism, learning disabilities and death.Jim Hughes
… the rising global threat of antivaccine sentiments and vaccine misinformation contributed to the WHO [=World Health Organization] classifying vaccine hesitancy as a top ten global health threat in 2019 …David M. Higgins and Sean T. O'Leary

Examples of anti-vaccine 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.
Kennedy, a longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist who helped lead the crusade against COVID-19 shots during the pandemic, has taken many steps to curtail vaccines this year. Ali Swenson, Fortune, 23 Nov. 2025 In particular, Schlossberg offered scathing criticism of his anti-vaccine stances and decision to defund various medical research, as well as the harmful effects the actions can have on those receiving care similar to her own. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 2025 Scientific information on the CDC’s website was replaced this week with anti-vaccine talking points, including false claims that link autism and vaccines. Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025 Until Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine proponent, took up his role as head of Health and Human Services, the CDC was a key opponent of growing global anti-vaccine sentiment. Sriparna Roy, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025 One of those anti-vaccine lawmakers is Diana Sosoaca. Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 21 Nov. 2025 Bewilderment and doubt are among the anti-vaccine movement’s most powerful weapons. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2025 Steed said her mother was born around the time of the 1953 raid and grew up with anti-government and, in turn, anti-vaccine tendencies. Erika Edwards, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2025 The law is the culmination of a decade of anti-vaccine activism that got a boost from the pandemic. Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 20 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anti-vaccine was in 1880

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Cite this Entry

“Anti-vaccine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-vaccine. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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