anti-inflammatory

American  

[an-tee-in-flam-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, an-tahy-] / ˌæn ti ɪnˈflæm əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˌæn taɪ- /

adjective

1. acting to reduce certain signs of inflammation, as swelling, tenderness, fever, and pain.

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noun

• anti-inflammatories
  plural

1. Pharmacology. a medication, as aspirin, used to reduce inflammation.

anti-inflammatory British  

adjective

1. reducing inflammation

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noun

1. any anti-inflammatory drug, such as cortisone, aspirin, or ibuprofen

anti-inflammatory Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-ĭn-flăm′ə-tôr′ē,ăn′tī- /

1. Preventing or reducing inflammation. Aspirin and ibuprofen are anti-inflammatory drugs.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• anti-inflammatories
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of anti-inflammatory

First recorded in 1955–60

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Explanation

An anti-inflammatory is an anti-inflammatory drug: a type of medicine that treats swelling and redness. Inflammation originally meant to be consumed by flames, and these days it usually means a type of soreness somewhere on your body that is red, feels hot, and and swells up. The anti prefix tells you that this word goes against the root, and anti-inflammatories are drugs that treat or fight against inflammation. If you have a red, swollen ankle, an anti-inflammatory might help.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anti-inflammatory anti-inflammatories

One reason is that cranberries contain compounds called proanthocyanidins, which have anti-inflammatory properties and can interfere with the ability of certain bacteria, including E. coli, to attach to cells.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

Strong U.S. sales for immunology drug Bimzelx due to robust patient demand and favorable pricing trends, as well as the continued contribution from older anti-inflammatory drug Cimzia prompted the guidance increase, UCB said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

Some doctors also expect that these drugs have an anti-inflammatory benefit that could help these patients, particularly those with knee pain.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

These compounds have drawn considerable interest from pharmaceutical researchers because many are associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 26, 2026

“Ponya seeds are anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, and, incidentally, an excellent source of protein. Here.”

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Steel, in the U.K., said he’s coming to this year’s race stocked with anti-inflammatories, ibuprofen and sunscreen to stay safe on the course.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Daily tasks include reminding me to take anti-inflammatories, to alerting me to oncoming Tietze attacks and fainting episodes.

From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2023

It’s also resistant to most treatments, such as anti-inflammatories.

From National Geographic ● Dec. 1, 2023

“Thankfully, it was nothing too serious,” Djokovic said later, adding he went off court to take some anti-inflammatories.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 7, 2023

Well, it’s about the body, too—she’s had to ice her knee every day in the last week, plus take a few anti-inflammatories.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

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