antidote

noun

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

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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.
Rooms Housed in an old bank building, the Countrypolitan’s 134 rooms are the antidote to the hotel’s dark and raucous lobby. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 Eisenkot seen as an antidote to Netanyahu Eisenkot has halting English and comes from a working-class family. — Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Collaborations Galore Molon’s antidote to the moment will lean heavily on cross-pollination and joining forces with players across industries to boost the brand’s repositioning. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026 The revival of physical media and the skyrocketing value of elaborate consumer experiences is very real and emerging as an antidote to fears that AI is changing everything. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 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

antidotary
antidote
anti-draft
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Cite this Entry

“Antidote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antidote. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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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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