immunosuppressive

1 of 2

adjective

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sive ˌi-myə-nō-sə-ˈpre-siv How to pronounce immunosuppressive (audio)
i-ˌmyü-nō-
: causing or characterized by immunosuppression
This pneumonia is characteristically an opportunistic infection, occurring in people whose immune system has been profoundly impaired by cancer or by powerful immunosuppressive drugs.William L. Heyward and James W. Curran
Progression of conditions associated with human papillomavirus, such as cutaneous warts, is common in patients receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation.Nektarios I. Lountzis et al.

immunosuppressive

2 of 2

noun

plural immunosuppressives
: immunosuppressant
The trials may also be too risky for people who are severely immunocompromised—i.e., you have cancer or take immunosuppressives.Julia Ries

Examples of immunosuppressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
Reactivation typically occurs when your immune system is weak, which can occur due to aging, stress, or immunosuppressive conditions.5 Shingles manifests as a painful rash, often appearing on one side of the body or face. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 3 Nov. 2024 Constant exposure to the unfriendly and immunosuppressive environment around the tumor impairs white blood T cells and forces them into an exhausted, dysfunctional state. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
However, the short-term release of cortisol is not bad, as cortisol is known to have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 June 2023 Some people should not get the vaccine, including pregnant women, people with certain blood disorders or those on prolonged immunosuppressive therapy, and those with a moderate or severe illness, among others. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for immunosuppressive 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

immuno- + suppressive, after immunosuppression

Noun

derivative of immunosuppressive entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1963, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immunosuppressive was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near immunosuppressive

Cite this Entry

“Immunosuppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunosuppressive. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

immunosuppressive

1 of 2 adjective
im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sive ˌim-yə-nō-sə-ˈpres-iv How to pronounce immunosuppressive (audio) im-ˌyü-nō- How to pronounce immunosuppressive (audio)
: causing or characterized by immunosuppression
… graft-versus-host disease strikes the skin, gut, liver and lymph tissues and can lead to death unless rapidly brought under control by immunosuppressive drugs.Joan Arehart-Treichel, Science News
These drugs may also have immunosuppressive actions, which may contribute to their ability to induce permanent remissions of Graves' disease.Kiyoshi Hashizume et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

immunosuppressive

2 of 2 noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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