Definition of nostrumnext
as in panacea
something that cures all ills or problems a quack nostrum for cancer of all types

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nostrum His personal integrity conflicts with liberal nostrums, resulting in Fish and Poinsettia’s bizarre repulsion-attraction rapport. Armond White, National Review, 25 June 2025 Kennedy has promoted almost useless nostrums against measles, such as Vitamin A, while describing vaccination as a personal choice. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 Eight years later, Democrats have devolved into nostrums about appealing to the middle class, ditching academic language, and finding a uniting message. Alexander Nazaryan, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025 Population trends today should raise serious questions about all the old nostrums that humans are somehow hard-wired to replace themselves to continue the species. Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for nostrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nostrum
Noun
  • Mixed benefits for bone health Weighted vests are not a panacea, and there are limits to what wearing one can accomplish.
    Kristen Marie Beavers, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The sap was a panacea for infections, and considered a treatment for some cancers.
    Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Count Saleh in favor of the Eagles’ Tush Push, their short-yardage elixir.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Estrogen was presented as an elixir that helped not only hot flashes, but also nervousness, fatigue, depression, and restless nights for almost every aging woman.
    Patricia Bencivenga, STAT, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Older remedies approved to treat motion sickness include antihistamines such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine (Bonine/Dramamine nondrowsy), and anticholinergics delivered via skin patch such as hyoscine (Scopolamine).
    Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The root cause of Cuba’s tragedy is Cuban; the remedy for Cuba will be Cuban, too.
    Ricardo Torres, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There is currently no cure, though treatments like chemotherapy can help patients live longer.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Despite over a century of investigation, there is still no cure, but advances in diagnostic tools, treatments and preventive strategies continue to offer hope for slowing the disease and improving quality of life for patients and caregivers.
    The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • But with its long list of as many as 80 ingredients and high status, theriac was expensive and exclusive.
    Elizabeth Heath, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023
  • Zinc lozenges suddenly became the theriac to cure all ills; masks and hand-sanitizer, the ambergris and zedoary to ward off infection.
    Spencer Strub, The New York Review of Books, 25 Mar. 2020
Noun
  • Simply outsourcing chores isn’t a cure-all.
    Tracee M. Herbaugh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Also referred to as petroleum jelly, which is the primary ingredient of Vaseline, it was invented during the 1800s as a cure-all balm and has become a household staple since.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Nostrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nostrum. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on nostrum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!