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
Jason Green, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
People with respiratory viruses who have high-risk conditions or who live in households with high-risk individuals should talk to their healthcare professional about taking antiviral medications to treat the virus or prevent transmission.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
If someone has symptoms for more than five days, doctors say antivirals may not be very effective.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for antiviral
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Adjective
To treat the flu, health care providers can prescribe antiviral medications, which can reduce the length and severity of the illness but must be given close to the onset of symptoms.
—Jason Green, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
People with respiratory viruses who have high-risk conditions or who live in households with high-risk individuals should talk to their healthcare professional about taking antiviral medications to treat the virus or prevent transmission.
—Jack Perry, The Providence Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Health experts also remind people that antivirals are available, and so far there's no evidence that subclade K reduces their efficacy.
—New Atlas, 5 Jan. 2026
If someone has symptoms for more than five days, doctors say antivirals may not be very effective.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 30 Dec. 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 13 Jan. 2026.
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