panacea

¹ American  

[pan-uh-see-uh] / ˌpæn əˈsi ə /

noun

1. a remedy for all disease or ills.

   Synonyms:

   cure-all, nostrum, elixir

2. an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties.

   His economic philosophy is a good one, but he tries to use it as a panacea.

   Synonyms:

   cure-all, nostrum, elixir

---

Panacea ² American  

[pan-uh-see-uh] / ˌpæn əˈsi ə /

noun

1. an ancient Greek goddess of healing.

---

panacea British  

/ ˌpænəˈsɪə /

noun

1. a remedy for all diseases or ills

---

Other Word Forms

• panacean adjective

Etymology

Origin of panacea

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin, from Greek panákeia, equivalent to panake-, stem of panakḗs “all-healing” ( pan- “all” + akḗs “a cure”) + -ia noun suffix; pan-, -ia

Example Sentences

Some parents of children with autism, desperate for a remedy, have long reached for dubious and at times dangerous panaceas, including hyperbaric oxygen chambers and chelation therapy, used for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning.

From Salon

But she was adamant that the program will not be a panacea.

From Los Angeles Times

While Davis can’t really see herself living back in the States again, she was also quick to interject: “Berlin is no panacea, sweetie. There’s no safe spaces anywhere.”

From Los Angeles Times

Yet he adds that it won't be "the panacea" that cures an Argentine economy that has long battled high inflation and public spending, and defaulting on its national debt.

From BBC

Shifting reporting regulations to reduce costs while allowing shareholders and companies greater flexibility to determine appropriate frequency of reporting isn’t a panacea.

From Barron's

Related Words

• elixir