Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

immunosuppressive

American  
[im-yuh-noh-suh-pres-iv, ih-myoo-] / ˌɪm jə noʊ səˈprɛs ɪv, ɪˌmju- /

adjective

  1. capable of causing immunosuppression.

    immunosuppressive drugs.


noun

  1. Pharmacology. Also immunosuppressor any substance that results in or effects immunosuppression.

immunosuppressive British  
/ ˌɪmjʊnəʊsəˈprɛsɪv /

noun

  1. any drug used for immunosuppression

"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

adjective

  1. of or relating to such a drug

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of immunosuppressive

First recorded in 1960–65; immuno- + suppressive ( def. )

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.

See Examples For:

He also stressed that the recovery period after the transplant would be extremely delicate, with transplant receivers needing to be on immunosuppressive medications for life.

From BBC Jun. 17, 2026

Figures are different for immunosuppressive drug-only Part B coverage.

From The Wall Street Journal Jan. 23, 2026

Higher levels of IPA change this process, altering myelopoiesis and lowering the production of immunosuppressive monocytes.

From Science Daily Jan. 23, 2026

He added that "it is particularly meaningful in that it simultaneously overcomes the key limitations of existing CAR-macrophage therapies -- delivery efficiency and the immunosuppressive tumor environment."

From Science Daily Jan. 11, 2026

Through similar genetic expression approaches, the team identified two neurotoxins in scorpion venom with immunosuppressive effects.

From Science Daily Nov. 18, 2025

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training