antiviral

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​vi·​ral ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl How to pronounce antiviral (audio)
ˌan-tī-
1
medical : acting, effective, or directed against viruses
an antiviral vaccine/drug
2
: used to protect a computer from viruses : antivirus
antiviral software

antiviral

2 of 2

noun

: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
antivirals used in treating influenza

Examples of antiviral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Looking beyond jabs, sprays or tablets, scientists are thinking outside the box for delivering antiviral medication to prevent the spread of highly transmissible bugs. New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2025 How to Shorten the Shingles Recovery Timeline In addition to taking antiviral medication as soon as a shingles rash appears, avoid picking at or scratching blisters, which can delay healing. Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
And casting supplements and drugs as comparable to, or even preferable to, prevention is especially dangerous for a disease that has no cure or antivirals. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025 Thousands of San Diegans are alive today because of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals. Christian Ramers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antiviral

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antiviral was in 1929

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Cite this Entry

“Antiviral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiviral. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

antiviral

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti·​vi·​ral -ˈvi-rəl How to pronounce antiviral (audio)
variants also antivirus
: acting, effective, or directed against viruses
antiviral drugs

antiviral

2 of 2 noun
: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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