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

Etymology

Origin of anti-inflammatory

First recorded in 1955–60

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

Although Skyrizi and Rinvoq lead the portfolio today, the segment was previously anchored by Humira—an anti-inflammatory drug that reigned as the industry’s most valuable medicine for half a decade.

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces swelling as well as easing pain, plus it lowers prostaglandins.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

Scientists have long known that both physical activity and anti-inflammatory medications can support brain health in various medical conditions.

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

The company aims to defend the exclusivity of its blockbuster anti-inflammatory drug Dupixent—jointly developed with Regeneron—beyond the U.S. compound patent expiration in March 2031, Citi says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Politely he asks if there is a way that he can pay for his care, as well as the antibiotics and the anti-inflammatory drugs.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario