antiviral

1 of 2

adjective

an·​ti·​vi·​ral ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl How to pronounce antiviral (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
If you’ve been diagnosed with shingles, your health care provider may recommend an antiviral medication like acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, according to the CDC. Korin Miller, SELF, 4 June 2025 There is no specific treatment, antiviral or otherwise, for hepatitis A. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
Noun
While budesonide can help with lung inflammation and clarithromycin can fight off co-infections from other germs, Campbell cautioned that neither were antivirals for fighting the measles virus infection itself. Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 1 May 2025 There are no antivirals or treatments specifically indicated for measles. Joseph Choi, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antiviral

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1929, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of antiviral was in 1929

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Cite this Entry

“Antiviral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiviral. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

antiviral

1 of 2 adjective
an·​ti·​vi·​ral -ˈvi-rəl How to pronounce antiviral (audio)
variants also antivirus
: acting, effective, or directed against viruses
antiviral drugs

antiviral

2 of 2 noun
: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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