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
Not only are they packed with fiber and vitamins, berries also have anti-inflammatory properties that have been linked with better brain health and cancer prevention.
—
Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Oatmeal bath: Soaking in a cool bath that contains colloidal oatmeal, which has anti-inflammatory properties, can also feel nice, Dr. Miller says.
—Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025
Turmeric has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and disease-preventing benefits.1514
8.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2025
Tuna is also high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats and other essential nutrients like selenium and vitamins D, B12, and E.1112
Make tuna salad for a midday snack or toss a can of tuna in your lunch bag with a piece of fruit for a balanced, high-protein snack.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anti-inflammatory
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Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Oatmeal bath: Soaking in a cool bath that contains colloidal oatmeal, which has anti-inflammatory properties, can also feel nice, Dr. Miller says.
—Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025
Turmeric has been widely studied for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and disease-preventing benefits.1514
8.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 8 Apr. 2025
Tuna is also high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats and other essential nutrients like selenium and vitamins D, B12, and E.1112
Make tuna salad for a midday snack or toss a can of tuna in your lunch bag with a piece of fruit for a balanced, high-protein snack.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anti-inflammatory
Cite this Entry
“Anti-inflammatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anti-inflammatory. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
anti-inflammatory
1 of 2 adjective
an·ti-in·flam·ma·to·ry
-in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-
variants
also anti-inflammation
: 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
Laurie McGinley, The Wall Street JournalMost 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
L. Davis, Science NewsA 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
Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-Newsanti-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
Harvard Medical School Health LetterLove words? Need even more definitions?
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