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
Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
The report, published in BMJ Open on May 20, found that people who take antiviral medications also have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life.1
Scientists are eager to understand what causes neurodegenerative diseases, which are becoming more prevalent around the world.
—Julia Ries, Health, 31 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
Some antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu, which can reduce the severity of illness after infection, are also estimated to have at least some effect against the virus.
—Paul Sisson, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
The report, published in BMJ Open on May 20, found that people who take antiviral medications also have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life.1
Scientists are eager to understand what causes neurodegenerative diseases, which are becoming more prevalent around the world.
—Julia Ries, Health, 31 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 6 Jul. 2025.
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