superbug

[soo-per-buhg]

noun

Informal.

1. a pathogenic bacterium that has developed immunity to antibiotics, or an insect that has developed immunity to insecticides.

superbug

/ ˈsuːpəˌbʌɡ /

noun

1. informal,  an infective microorganism that has become resistant to antibiotics

Word History and Origins

Origin of superbug¹

First reported in 1915–20; super- ( def. ) + bug ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

“This makes these ‘superbug’ bacteria very hard to treat because they’re resistant to some of the strongest antibiotics we have,” Gohil said.

From Los Angeles Times

The drugs were designed atom-by-atom by the AI and killed the superbugs in laboratory and animal tests.

From BBC

Experts worry that some domestic animals might carry hard-to-treat superbugs - bacteria that have become resistant to common antibiotics.

From BBC

Capturing them could give us new ways of treating infections, including superbugs that are becoming incurable.

From BBC

Early data suggests superbugs can be flushed out of the dark murky depths of the bowel and replaced with a mix of healthy gut bacteria.

From BBC