immunosuppressant

noun

im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sant ˌi-myə-nō-sə-ˈpre-sᵊnt How to pronounce immunosuppressant (audio)
i-ˌmyü-nō-
plural immunosuppressants
: an agent (such as a drug) that suppresses the immune response
The drug was a strong immunosuppressant and was lowering the rats' T-cell counts, making them more vulnerable to infections.—Chip Brown
… a highly specific immunosuppressant that prevents patients from rejecting transplanted tissue.—Barry Werth
immunosuppressant adjective
immunosuppressant drugs

Examples of immunosuppressant 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.
Also, strong immunosuppressants are required before treatment, which increases the risk, cost and side effects. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026 The longest surviving monkey lived nine days, flooded with heavy levels of immunosuppressants that experts say may have contributed to its eventual death. — Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 12 Feb. 2026 To help prevent this with a partial match, Max would likely need chemotherapy and immunosuppressants for a longer period of time, which could weaken his immune system. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Mar. 2026 Even human-to-human transplants require lifelong immunosuppressants. — Monika Piotrowska, The Conversation, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immunosuppressant

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + suppressant, after immunosuppression

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of immunosuppressant was in 1968

Rhymes for immunosuppressant

See All Rhymes for immunosuppressant

Browse Nearby Words

immunosuppress
immunosuppressant
immunosuppression
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immunosuppressant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunosuppressant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

immunosuppressant

1 of 2 noun
im·​mu·​no·​sup·​pres·​sant -sə-ˈpres-ᵊnt How to pronounce immunosuppressant (audio)
: an agent (such as a drug) that suppresses the immune response
The experiments focused on the use of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant widely used in human kidney, heart-lung, bone marrow, pancreas and liver transplants.—Science News

immunosuppressant

2 of 2 adjective
: immunosuppressive
immunosuppressant effects

More from Merriam-Webster on immunosuppressant

Nglish: Translation of immunosuppressant for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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