an·ti·vi·ral
ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl 
ˌan-tī-
: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
antivirals used in treating influenza
Examples of antiviral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Korin Miller, SELF, 4 June 2025
There is no specific treatment, antiviral or otherwise, for hepatitis A.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
While budesonide can help with lung inflammation and clarithromycin can fight off co-infections from other germs, Campbell cautioned that neither were antivirals for fighting the measles virus infection itself.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antiviral
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Adjective
If you’ve been diagnosed with shingles, your health care provider may recommend an antiviral medication like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, according to the CDC.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 4 June 2025
There is no specific treatment, antiviral or otherwise, for hepatitis A.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Noun
However, once long COVID has developed, antivirals have not been effective, with two recent large randomized clinical trials finding no differences in outcomes compared with placebos.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
While budesonide can help with lung inflammation and clarithromycin can fight off co-infections from other germs, Campbell cautioned that neither were antivirals for fighting the measles virus infection itself.
—Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for antiviral
Cite this Entry
“Antiviral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiviral. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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