antiviral

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​vi·​ral ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl How to pronounce antiviral (audio)
ˌan-tī-
1
medical : acting, effective, or directed against viruses
an antiviral vaccine/drug
2
: used to protect a computer from viruses : antivirus
antiviral software

antiviral

2 of 2

noun

: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
antivirals used in treating influenza

Examples of antiviral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Rapid investment in diagnostic testing, coupled with efforts to secure essential materials, is imperative to ensure timely detection and antiviral treatment. Luciana Borio and Phil Krause, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024 The antiviral medication Paxlovid can reduce the length and severity of Covid-19. Katia Hetter, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024 Because antiviral immune weapons can destroy tissues, cells typically turn them on only when there’s an active threat like an infection, Kagan said. Annie Melchor, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2024 Oseltamivir is the generic version of the antiviral medication Tamiflu. Carma Hassan, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024 The person is now being treated with the antiviral medication oseltamivir, which according to the Mayo Clinic can be used to treat influenza A and B, as well as the swine flu. Li Cohen, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024 Vaccination and antiviral drugs alleviate some of the symptoms, lending credence to this idea. Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 There is no vaccine or antiviral that treats parainfluenza. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 At this time, there is no specific antiviral treatment for measles. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2024
Noun
They were told to isolate and are recovering after being treated with flu antivirals, which seem to work against the virus, the CDC says. Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 1 Apr. 2024 Without available vaccines or antivirals, experts say prevention is the key to staying healthy. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Monitoring a herpes infection and taking antivirals during pregnancy can help prevent the spread of herpes to your baby.7 Use the appropriate protection during outbreaks. Jennifer Sabour, Health, 9 Mar. 2024 His center contracted with CDPH and federal authorities to reach Latinos, employing mobile units to test, vaccinate and eventually provide antivirals to workers around the Sacramento Valley. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 People who test positive for COVID-19 may be treated with the antivirals Paxlovid or Molnupiravir, but treatment must begin within five days of symptom onset for best results, providers say. Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024 An antiviral doesn’t exist, experts say, though medical providers may choose to administer oral Vitamin A to patients, in a bid to improve outcomes. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 27 Jan. 2024 But as officials note, that’s exactly what antivirals are for. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2024 For instance, antivirals like Paxlovid and Lagevrio can treat certain COVID cases, while a different antiviral called Tamiflu treats the flu. Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antiviral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antiviral was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near antiviral

Cite this Entry

“Antiviral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiviral. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

antiviral

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti·​vi·​ral -ˈvi-rəl How to pronounce antiviral (audio)
variants also antivirus
: acting, effective, or directed against viruses
antiviral drugs

antiviral

2 of 2 noun
: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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