anti-inflammatory
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing anti-inflammatory
Power Prefix: Anti
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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.
See Examples For:
Multiple FMD cycles lead to fat loss with little or no lean-mass loss, promote A1C reduction and diabetes regression and have anti-inflammatory effects, including in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 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
Another paper from the same project reported that anti-inflammatory defenses appear to break down early in non-obese GK rats with insulin resistance.
From Science Daily ● May 31, 2026
“Ponya seeds are anti-inflammatory, disinfecting, and, incidentally, an excellent source of protein. Here.”
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
However, he was using so many anti-inflammatories to manage his left knee pain that it caused other health issues.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
He needed the pills, although it was unclear whether he was referring to painkillers, anti-inflammatories or both.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2025
It stands for protection, elevation, avoid anti-inflammatories, compression and education.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2025
It’s also resistant to most treatments, such as anti-inflammatories.
From National Geographic ● Dec. 1, 2023
Well, it’s about the body, too—she’s had to ice her knee every day in the last week, plus take a few anti-inflammatories.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
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.
