antiviral

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​vi·​ral ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl 

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

Adjective

Big Boy was treated with antiviral medications, tested positive for bird flu, and returned home blind and unable to use his back legs, but recovering. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025

If exposed to dead or dying birds that have avian flu and symptoms — fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, body aches, headaches, eye redness, vomiting or diarrhea — develop, antiviral medications are available. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

Noun

There are no antivirals to treat norovirus and the CDC warns against taking antibiotics as the medication won't work. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 7 Jan. 2025

There are no antivirals to treat HMPV, so treatment consists of providing supportive care to patients with moderate or severe symptoms, the experts said. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

antiviral

1 of 2 adjective

an·​ti·​vi·​ral -ˈvi-rəl 

variants also antivirus

-rəs 

: acting, effective, or directed against viruses

antiviral drugs

antiviral

2 of 2 noun

: an antiviral agent and especially a drug