antidote

noun

an·​ti·​dote ˈan-ti-ˌdōt How to pronounce antidote (audio)
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

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 Serving as antidotes to the ever-increasing temperatures, mountain towns are where Southerners go when the air gets too thick and even the shortest walk results in a level of perspiration typically only encountered during a high-intensity workout. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024 The Chevrolet Camaro was GM’s answer to Ford’s Mustang, the pony car that took the automotive world by storm in late 1964 as a fun and affordable antidote to driving boredom. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 In Portugal, a country of 10.3 million, voters have been searching for an antidote to political corruption scandals, a housing crisis, high inflation and low wages. Catarina Fernandes Martins, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 And the federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response keeps a national stockpile of supplies necessary for public health emergencies, including vaccines, medical supplies and antidotes needed in case of a chemical warfare attack. Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 4 Mar. 2024 Read on for the style antidote to the winter doldrums. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 If those earlier shows reflected our gloomy current moment, Elsbeth may be intended more as a cheery antidote. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024 The antidote lies in continuous learning and upskilling, guaranteeing that one’s skill set evolves in tandem with industry demands. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 That includes free tests – that come in the shape of cards – to test if your drink was drugged or spiked, and there will be more lifeguards and jet ski patrols on the beaches, as well as accessible Narcan – an opioid-overdose antidote – in each hotel and by lifeguards on the beach. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'antidote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of antidote was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near antidote

Cite this Entry

“Antidote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidote. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

antidote

noun
an·​ti·​dote ˈant-i-ˌdōt How to pronounce antidote (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce antidote (audio)
: a remedy that counteracts the effects of poison

More from Merriam-Webster on antidote

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