antiviral
Americanadjective
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Medicine/Medical, Pharmacology.
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(of a drug or therapy) developed to effectively treat an infection caused by a virus.
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of or relating to a substance used to prevent or treat a viral infection.
Raw garlic has been found to have antiviral properties.
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Computers. (of software) programmed to detect, neutralize, and remove computer viruses.
noun
adjective
noun
Etymology
Origin of antiviral
First recorded in 1925–30; anti- ( def. ) + viral ( def. )
Explanation
An antiviral medication is one used to treat a patient with a serious case of a virus like the flu or Ebola. To be prescribed an antiviral drug, a patient has to be pretty sick. If you get a mild case of the flu you don't need this kind of medication, but someone who's so ill they end up in the hospital may be given antivirals. Just like the word implies, antivirals attack certain viruses; they do this by boosting the immune system or blocking receptors so the virus can't attach to healthy cells.
Vocabulary lists containing antiviral
Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: ant-, anti-
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: ant, anti
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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.
In happier news, rising case counts have jump-started research into drugs that could treat people who do get sick, including antibody and antiviral therapies.
From Slate ● Jul. 24, 2026
The newly identified defense relies on a protein that closely resembles one of the most important antiviral proteins in humans, yet performs the opposite function while still being essential for protecting the animal from infection.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 30, 2026
Viruses multiplied more rapidly, the animals failed to properly activate their antiviral defenses, and their ability to fight infection dropped dramatically.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 30, 2026
It also recommended evaluating the oral antiviral obeldesivir in clinical trials as post-exposure prophylaxis for people who are high-risk contacts.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
It proved resistant to every one of the antibiotics and antiviral agents in the Lancet's stockroom.
From Star Surgeon by Nourse, Alan Edward
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
