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

Cool thermal spring water Thermal spring waters are sourced from natural springs that are rich in minerals and have anti-inflammatory properties. —Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 12 June 2025

So, VistaJet, the world’s first and only global private aviation company, in early May debuted an exclusive global partnership with Dr. Barbara Sturm, the globally renowned aesthetics expert and anti-inflammatory pioneer. —Debbi Kickham, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

It is filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, perfect for improving scalp health. —Celeste Polanco, Essence, 10 June 2025

Omega-3 fatty acids, commonly called omega-3s, can help reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause due to their anti-inflammatory properties. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1736, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anti-inflammatory

• nondiscriminatory
• thermoregulatory
• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory

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