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

Although the conditions can be managed, usually with immunosuppressive drugs, scientists have never figured out a way to permanently jolt the immune system back on track. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026

In the interim, Annie was already undergoing an intensive immunosuppressive therapy that would soon cause her waist-length blond hair to thin — and eventually fall out. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026

Noun

In the interim, Annie was already undergoing an intensive immunosuppressive therapy that would soon cause her waist-length blond hair to thin — and eventually fall out. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026

Individuals with liver disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV, or thalassemia, and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy for the treatment of disease are at greater risk for severe disease from Vibrio following exposure. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025

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