anti-inflammatory

adjective

an·​ti-in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry ˌan-tē-in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē 

ˌan-tī-

variants or less commonly anti-inflammation

ˌan-tē-ˌin-flə-ˈmā-shən,

ˌan-tī- 

: counteracting inflammation : used to prevent or reduce inflammation

anti-inflammatory painkillers

anti-inflammatory effects

an anti-inflammation diet

anti-inflammatory noun

plural anti-inflammatories

Examples of anti-inflammatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These alkaloids are responsible for the sharp flavor imparted by black and chili peppers and serve a variety of medicinal purposes, especially due to their anti-inflammatory properties. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Apr. 2024

The most common treatments are steroids, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant drugs, and, as a last resort, surgery to remove any bowel beyond repair. —Andrew Chapman, Longreads, 18 Apr. 2024

Copper peptides also have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help with acne concerns as well. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024

Some probiotic foods include: Yogurt Sauerkraut Kimchi Miso Tempeh Kombucha Foods high in flavonoids: Lastly, foods high in flavonoids, like colorful foods and vegetables, can help alleviate eczema symptoms because of their anti-inflammatory compounds. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Apr. 2024

Research has shown that cabbage has anti-inflammatory benefits that may help reduce heart disease risk. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 13 Apr. 2024

When to be extra cautious Ibuprofen belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, which reduce pain and inflammation by blocking the activity of certain enzymes, Tsourounis said. —Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024

There are a few things to look for when shopping for the best nipple creams: moisturizing ingredients, anti-inflammatory ingredients, safety for babies, and ease of application. —Macaela MacKenzie, Allure, 5 Apr. 2024

Consuming more anti-inflammatory foods rich in antioxidants, like dark leafy green veggies and dark berries, can also help. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anti-inflammatory

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti-in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry -in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

variants also anti-inflammation

-ˌin-flə-ˈmā-shən 

: reducing or counteracting inflammation

Ibuprofen was the anti-inflammatory drug most commonly used, but others, including naprosyn, also were taken.

—Laurie McGinley, The Wall Street Journal

Most anti-inflammatory drugs target the arachidonic acid cascade, which produces two major mediators of inflammatory responses, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Nonsteroidal drugs can dam only one side of the cascade—they block production of prostaglandins but leave the leukotrienes unaffected. Steroidal drugs block both routes, but their side effects can make them an undesirable, though sometimes irreplaceable, treatment.

—L. Davis, Science News

A recent boon to the eczema-prone is a growing array of over-the-counter cortisone anti-inflammation applications.

—Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News

anti-inflammatory

2 of 2 noun

plural anti-inflammatories

: an anti-inflammatory agent : a drug (as aspirin or ibuprofen) that reduces inflammation

Without anti-inflammatories, gouty attacks subside on their own—but may require several painful weeks, as opposed to the day or two required with anti-inflammatories.

—Harvard Medical School Health Letter