immunosuppressive

1 of 2

adjective

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sive ˌi-myə-nō-sə-ˈpre-siv 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: causing or characterized by immunosuppression

This pneumonia is characteristically an opportunistic infection, occurring in people whose immune system has been profoundly impaired by cancer or by powerful immunosuppressive drugs.

—William L. Heyward and James W. Curran

Progression of conditions associated with human papillomavirus, such as cutaneous warts, is common in patients receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation.

—Nektarios I. Lountzis et al.

immunosuppressive

2 of 2

noun

plural immunosuppressives

: immunosuppressant

The trials may also be too risky for people who are severely immunocompromised—i.e., you have cancer or take immunosuppressives.

—Julia Ries

Examples of immunosuppressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Since turmeric has blood-thinning effects, Mok warned that people taking warfarin or those on chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs may want to avoid it. —Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025

Conventional treatments primarily rely on immunosuppressive drugs, which can have significant side effects. —Jesse Pines, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Noun

However, the short-term release of cortisol is not bad, as cortisol is known to have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 June 2023

Some people should not get the vaccine, including pregnant women, people with certain blood disorders or those on prolonged immunosuppressive therapy, and those with a moderate or severe illness, among others. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

immuno- + suppressive, after immunosuppression

Noun

derivative of immunosuppressive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1963, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for immunosuppressive

• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• impressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive
• recessive

Medical Definition

immunosuppressive

1 of 2 adjective

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sive ˌim-yə-nō-sə-ˈpres-iv  im-ˌyü-nō- 

: causing or characterized by immunosuppression

… graft-versus-host disease strikes the skin, gut, liver and lymph tissues and can lead to death unless rapidly brought under control by immunosuppressive drugs.

—Joan Arehart-Treichel, Science News

These drugs may also have immunosuppressive actions, which may contribute to their ability to induce permanent remissions of Graves' disease.

—Kiyoshi Hashizume et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

immunosuppressive

2 of 2 noun

: immunosuppressant