asymptomatic

adjective

asymp·tom·at·ic | \ ˌā-ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-tik

Definition of asymptomatic

: not causing, marked by, or presenting with signs or symptoms of infection, illness, or disease asymptomatic carriers of contagious disease Acute infection is usually asymptomatic, making early diagnosis difficult.— Francis V. Chisari Because gonorrhea is often asymptomatic in women, it can progress painlessly until the result is pelvic inflammatory disease with its sequelae of infertility or ectopic pregnancy.— Marsha F. Goldsmith Most patients with gallstones remain asymptomatic for many years and may, in fact, never develop symptoms. — The Journal of the American Medical Association Many of the fecal samples positive for Giardia were from asymptomatic pets.— Lawrence M. Fox

Other Words from asymptomatic More Example Sentences Learn More About asymptomatic

Other Words from asymptomatic

asymptomatically \ ˌā-ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

asymptomatically infected children The virus may be carried asymptomatically.

Examples of asymptomatic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The precise cause and nature of Long Covid is not yet known and even people with mild or asymptomatic cases can develop the condition. — Robert Hart, Forbes, 18 May 2022 Though cases have surged, officials have emphasized that more than 99.7 percent of the new infections so far have been mild or asymptomatic. — New York Times, 9 May 2022 Home quarantine also has been on the table, the people said, at least for mild and asymptomatic cases and close contacts, and when their living conditions permit it. — Sha Hua, WSJ, 1 May 2022 Lending weight to a gradual shift to living with Covid is the fact that 99% of cases in Taiwan this year have been mild or asymptomatic, according to Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. — Betty Hou, Bloomberg.com, 18 Apr. 2022 Most reported cases in China have been mild or asymptomatic, with the number of severely ill patients remaining negligible. — Fortune, 18 Apr. 2022 Any infection, even one that ultimately prove to be mild or asymptomatic, carries certain risks, officials say. — Luke Money, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2022 Moreover, people who catch the virus and experience only mild or asymptomatic cases—particularly those who are vaccinated and boosted—may not get tested at all. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2022 Others want to avoid any infection, even mild and asymptomatic infections. — Katia Hetter, CNN, 8 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'asymptomatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

27 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Asymptomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asymptomatic. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for asymptomatic

asymptomatic

adjective

asymp·tom·at·ic | \ ˌā-ˌsim(p)-tə-ˈmat-ik

Medical Definition of asymptomatic

: not causing, marked by, or presenting with signs or symptoms of infection, illness, or disease asymptomatic carriers of contagious disease Decisions regarding the discontinuation of anticoagulation in such patients remain clinically challenging, requiring physicians to weigh the risk of bleeding against the risk of a stroke from asymptomatic arrhythmia.— Rodney H. Falk, The New England Journal of Medicine Acute infection is usually asymptomatic, making early diagnosis difficult.— Francis V. Chisari, Nature However, 10% to 25% of patients with Barrett's esophagus are completely asymptomatic. — Scientific American Medicine Bulletin Red blood cell transfusions for chronic stable anemia in the asymptomatic patient are not clinically beneficial and will unnecessarily increase the patient's risk for infection, immunization to blood antigens, or hemosiderosis. — The Journal of the American Medical Association

Other Words from asymptomatic

asymptomatically \ -i-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

asymptomatically infected adults