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anabolic

[an-uh-bol-ik]

adjective

Biology, Physiology.
  1. involving or stimulating the building of complex substances from simpler ones as part of the process of metabolism in living organisms (catabolic ).

    These three essential amino acids have a strong anabolic effect, driving protein synthesis to build muscle.



anabolic

/ ˌænəˈbɒlɪk /

adjective

  1. of or relating to anabolism

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • anabolically adverb
  • hyperanabolic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of anabolic1

First recorded in 1875–80; from Greek anabol(ḗ) “a throwing upward,” equivalent to ana- ana- ( def. ) + bolḗ “a throw” (compare anabállein “to throw up”) + -ic ( def. )
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

World tennis No. 1 Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, recently received a three-month ban after blaming two positive tests for an anabolic steroid on a spray used by his physical therapist.

Sinner twice tested positive for low levels of the banned anabolic steroid clostebol - which can be used to build muscle mass - in March 2024.

Read more on BBC

The list of health risks associated with taking anabolic steroids — which have no medical use approved by the U.S. government — is long and frightening:

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In 2022, a cache of leaked emails revealed that, cue the gasps and shock, an $11,000-per-month anabolic steroid habit is the secret substance pumping up his hulking frame.

Read more on Salon

"They are focusing on the power sports - sprinting, lifting and swimming - and, for those events, athletes will take anabolic agents," he told BBC Sport.

Read more on BBC

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