an·ti·vi·ral
ˌan-tē-ˈvī-rəl 
ˌan-tī-
: an antiviral agent and especially a drug
antivirals used in treating influenza
Examples of antiviral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Later, in the 1990s, Roizman’s meticulous work identifying the functions of many of HSV’s 84 genes uncovered an enzyme that became a key target for antiviral drug development.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Elaine Chen, STAT, 9 June 2026
These effects are manageable with preventive antibiotics, antivirals and vaccines.
—Amber Dance, ArsTechnica, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for antiviral
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
There is no vaccine or specific antiviral medicine for hantavirus.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Later, in the 1990s, Roizman’s meticulous work identifying the functions of many of HSV’s 84 genes uncovered an enzyme that became a key target for antiviral drug development.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
Noun
Gilead is also working on other combinations with lenacapavir, alongside other next-generation antivirals, as part of its efforts to extend its multibillion-dollar HIV portfolio into the coming decades.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 9 June 2026
These effects are manageable with preventive antibiotics, antivirals and vaccines.
—Amber Dance, ArsTechnica, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for antiviral
Cite this Entry
“Antiviral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antiviral. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
