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
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.
Both Kundera and Cavafy convey something profound: that life is nothing more than the voyage, a thought that can serve as a sort of antidote to the burdens of living. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025 The episode — the latter half of the two-parter lab leak catastrophe the 118 crew is sent in to deal with — sees Bobby save Chim, giving him the last of the viral antidote while disguising the fact that he’s been succumbing to the illness himself. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2025 As Chimney’s condition worsened after being exposed to a rare and deadly virus from a massive lab explosion, Buck (Oliver Stark) and Athena (Angela Bassett) raced to track down the only dose of antidote available. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 Encouraging children to develop grit can be an antidote to perfectionism.3 Also, recognize that perfectionism often masks deep fears—of not being enough, disappointing others, and losing control, adds Huffmaster. Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antidote

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Antidote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidote. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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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