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
While no antiviral flu treatments were available over the counter as of Thursday, there are medications and treatments that can help reduce common symptoms. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2025 Existing antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, have also been effective at treating people infected with bird flu. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
On top of that, researchers had come up with an arsenal of lifesaving antibiotics and antivirals. Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2025 The cancelations included nine grants that were part of a multidisciplinary research program that was developing COVID-19 antivirals, especially those that could be delivered to outpatients, as well as other drugs targeting viruses that could cause a pandemic in the future. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 27 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Antiviral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiviral. Accessed 22 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!