anti-inflammatory

adjective

an·​ti-in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry ˌan-tē-in-ˈfla-mə-ˌtȯr-ē 

ˌan-tī-

variants or less commonly anti-inflammation

ˌan-tē-ˌin-flə-ˈmā-shən,

ˌan-tī- 

: counteracting inflammation : used to prevent or reduce inflammation

anti-inflammatory painkillers

anti-inflammatory effects

an anti-inflammation diet

anti-inflammatory noun

plural anti-inflammatories

Examples of anti-inflammatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Working in concert with progesterone and testosterone, estrogen influences nearly every cell, organ, and system in some way, acting as an anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, a lubricant, a regenerator, and a regulator. —Jolene Edgar, Allure, 11 Feb. 2025

These compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.5 For a filling side dish, try roasted Brussels sprouts drizzled with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 11 Feb. 2025

This last ingredient may be why my oily, acne-prone skin seems to be responding so well to it: research indicates the East Asian botanical has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 11 Feb. 2025

Honey also has anti-inflammatory properties and may help alleviate throat pain and calm a mild cough. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

anti-inflammatory

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti-in·​flam·​ma·​to·​ry -in-ˈflam-ə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

variants also anti-inflammation

-ˌin-flə-ˈmā-shən 

: reducing or counteracting inflammation

Ibuprofen was the anti-inflammatory drug most commonly used, but others, including naprosyn, also were taken.

—Laurie McGinley, The Wall Street Journal

Most anti-inflammatory drugs target the arachidonic acid cascade, which produces two major mediators of inflammatory responses, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Nonsteroidal drugs can dam only one side of the cascade—they block production of prostaglandins but leave the leukotrienes unaffected. Steroidal drugs block both routes, but their side effects can make them an undesirable, though sometimes irreplaceable, treatment.

—L. Davis, Science News

A recent boon to the eczema-prone is a growing array of over-the-counter cortisone anti-inflammation applications.

—Paul G. Donohue, The Springfield (Massachusetts) Union-News

anti-inflammatory

2 of 2 noun

plural anti-inflammatories

: an anti-inflammatory agent : a drug (as aspirin or ibuprofen) that reduces inflammation

Without anti-inflammatories, gouty attacks subside on their own—but may require several painful weeks, as opposed to the day or two required with anti-inflammatories.

—Harvard Medical School Health Letter