nostrum

noun

ˈnä-strəm How to pronounce nostrum (audio)
Definition of nostrumnext
as in panacea
something that cures all ills or problems a quack nostrum for cancer of all types

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Wolff’s work and influence, alongside a simultaneous rise in the fields of psychology and psychosomatic medicine, helped to disperse those nostrums into the wider culture. — Tom Zeller Jr. july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for nostrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nostrum
  1. panacea
  2. elixir
  3. remedy
  4. cure
  5. theriac
  6. cure-all
Noun
  • The league instituted its new draft lottery rules as a panacea to the perpetual tanking that peaked over the last few seasons.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Orbital data centers are no panacea to our terrestrial data center woes, either.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of panacea
Noun
  • As flu season approaches, TikTokers are spreading a homemade elixir to supposedly boost the immune system that experts warn could in fact cause the fatal disease botulism.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The gentle, foaming elixir feels soft on skin, rinsing away dirt and makeup while hydrating and coddling with flaxseed oil.
    — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of elixir
Noun
  • Critics said the remedies were too weak, but the settlements cleared the way for the deal to close.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There should be a clear owner, transparent standards and a practical remedy designed before scaling, not after the first crisis.
    — Eric Reicin, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of remedy
Noun
  • There was no cure for NCBRS, no medicines, and nothing was known about disease progression.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The lawsuit said Bakker and a guest made the cure claim during 11 episodes in February and March 2020.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of cure
Noun
  • L’Orvietan and its imitators had their roots in a more antique antidote called theriac.
    — 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
Definition of theriac
Noun
  • While certainly not a cure-all, taking supplements could even help to stave off seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at this time of year.
    — Violet Hayward, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Very Well Health that the peppery green is helpful but should not be viewed as a cure-all.
    — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of cure-all

Browse Nearby Words

nostalgic
nostrum
nostrums
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Cite this Entry

“Nostrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nostrum. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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