antidote

noun

an·​ti·​dote ˈan-ti-ˌdōt 

1

: a remedy to counteract the effects of poison

needed the antidote for the snake's venom

2

: something that relieves, prevents, or counteracts

an antidote to boredom

antidote transitive verb

Synonyms

• corrective
• curative
• cure
• rectifier
• remedy
• therapeutic
• therapy

Examples of antidote in a Sentence

There is no antidote to this poison.

For him, racing motorcycles is a great antidote to boredom.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Bottom Line: Strategy Stacking is the antidote to entrepreneurial distraction. —Lewis Schiff, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Steve was a wonderful antidote to Miranda, and Joy is a wonderful antidote in a very different way. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 20 June 2025

The opioid overdose antidote was not readily available or used at that time. —Jackie Siegel, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025

What to do instead Gottman’s antidote for contempt is to co-create a culture of fondness and appreciation. —Kelley J. Brower, CNBC, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antidot, from Latin antidotum, from Greek antidotos, from feminine of antidotos given as an antidote, from antididonai to give as an antidote, from anti- + didonai to give — more at date

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for antidote

• anecdote
• asymptote
• creosote
• dimethoate
• epidote
• ferryboat
• motorboat
• overcoat
• petticoat
• riverboat
• undercoat
• underwrote

Kids Definition

antidote

noun

an·​ti·​dote ˈant-i-ˌdōt 

: a remedy to counteract the effects of poison

antidotal

ˌant-i-ˈdōt-ᵊl

adjective

antidotally

-ᵊl-ē

adverb

Medical Definition

antidote

noun

an·​ti·​dote ˈant-i-ˌdōt 

: a remedy that counteracts the effects of poison