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.
McCarthy is outspokenly anti-vaccine and has weathered many career controversies due to her health beliefs, which include claiming that autism is linked to vaccines. Zack Sharf, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025 In June 2025, Kennedy fired all 17 members of ACIP and replaced them with his own choices, many of whom had a history of anti-vaccine views. Jake Scott, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025 In June 2025, Kennedy fired all 17 members of ACIP and replaced them with his own choices, many of whom had a history of anti-vaccine views. Jake Scott, The Conversation, 18 Dec. 2025 Liam Neeson is denying being part of the anti-vaccine movement, after lending his voice to a documentary that questions the efficacy of the medical advance. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025 The vote came after several members of the panel, some of whom have ties to anti-vaccine groups, questioned the vaccine's safety data and the extent to which the birth dose caused a decline in hepatitis B cases. Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2025 Meanwhile, Kennedy, who previously ran an anti-vaccine group and campaigned on ending vaccine mandates, angered health officials by cancelling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccines. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025 From the start of the coronavirus pandemic, lack of nuance has been a problem with public-health messaging—one that anti-vaccine advocates have made use of to great effect. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025 In June, Kennedy fired the entire 17-member panel earlier this year and replaced it with a group that includes several anti-vaccine voices. Arkansas Online, 6 Dec. 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 28 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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