antidote

noun

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

Synonyms

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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.
Diversification, discipline, and due diligence are the antidotes to even the wildest stock swings. — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Of course, this isn’t to say a busy first day of free agency is the antidote to all of the Patriots’ woes. — Chad Graff, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025 Minor-league sports have become popular as an antidote to the moneyed juggernaut of global franchises, which can seem disconnected from the intimacy that made so many of us fans in the first place. — Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2025 On the surface, comfort seems like the antidote to stress. — Dale Whelehan, TIME, 14 Feb. 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

Rhymes for antidote

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Browse Nearby Words

antidote
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Cite this Entry

“Antidote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidote. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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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

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