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

plural

anti-inflammatories

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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Etymology

Origin of anti-inflammatory

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

When tested individually, capsaicin showed the strongest anti-inflammatory effect.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

"When capsaicin and menthol or 1,8-cineole were used together, their anti-inflammatory effect increased several hundred-fold compared to when each compound was used alone," highlights Prof. Arimura.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

He won one of the first major wrongful-death trials against pharma company Merck over claims that the prescription anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx caused heart problems.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

Skyrizi and Rinvoq, AbbVie’s major anti-inflammatory drugs, contributed a larger piece of the pie.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 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