nostrum

noun

ˈnä-strəm How to pronounce nostrum (audio)
Definition of nostrumnext
as in panacea
something that cures all ills or problems a quack nostrum for cancer of all types

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of nostrum Wolff’s work and influence, alongside a simultaneous rise in the fields of psychology and psychosomatic medicine, helped to disperse those nostrums into the wider culture. — Tom Zeller Jr. july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025 Kennedy has promoted almost useless nostrums against measles, such as Vitamin A, while describing vaccination as a personal choice. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2025 Because of the false but persistent and powerfully seductive nostrum that reducing the value of a country’s currency will stimulate its economy by making its exports cheaper and its imports more expensive. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 His personal integrity conflicts with liberal nostrums, resulting in Fish and Poinsettia’s bizarre repulsion-attraction rapport. — Armond White, National Review, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nostrum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nostrum
  1. panacea
  2. elixir
  3. remedy
  4. cure
  5. theriac
  6. cure-all
Noun
  • Fish oil supplements and omega-3 fatty acids are often touted as a panacea for everything from heart health and brain function to immune systems and overall everyday well-being.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • More bureaucracy — in the form of the new stand-alone Department of Gun Violence Reduction — while well-intentioned, isn’t the panacea to what plagues our city, especially as whoever is appointed head of this new department will enjoy too much independence from the mayor.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Definition of panacea
Noun
  • The Alaria seaweed elixir brings its anti-aging properties into play, helping with skin elasticity, tightness, and firmness, while the passion fruit seed and coconut oils hydrate and lock in moisture.
    — Melony Forcier, InStyle, 2 July 2026
  • With one spritz of an elixir, Iris is able to explore her potent past and visit the magical possibilities of her future.
    — Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Definition of elixir
Noun
  • Her remedy isn't avoidance, but direct conversation—giving people space to talk through what went wrong before launching the next effort.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The dealers will inspect and repair or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge, as part of the recall remedy, NHTSA said.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Definition of remedy
Noun
  • The problem is that if AI does lead to massive job loss, simply informing job seekers of the resilience of these job categories offers no cure to the sweeping harm of permanently higher unemployment.
    — Gene Sperling, Time, 1 July 2026
  • There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease but some medications and immunotherapies are available that may help slow down the progression of the condition, manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of cure
Noun
  • L’Orvietan and its imitators had their roots in a more antique antidote called theriac.
    — Elizabeth Heath, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2023
  • Zinc lozenges suddenly became the theriac to cure all ills; masks and hand-sanitizer, the ambergris and zedoary to ward off infection.
    — Spencer Strub, The New York Review of Books, 25 Mar. 2020
Definition of theriac
Noun
  • But contrary to the TikTok hype, hypochlorous acid is not a cure-all.
    — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 26 June 2026
  • Where InsurTech startups were once pitched as plug-and-play cure-alls, the talk now is of narrower tools trained on a single bottleneck, with the carrier keeping hold of the judgment.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Definition of cure-all

Browse Nearby Words

nostalgic
nostrum
nostrums
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Cite this Entry

“Nostrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nostrum. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nostrum

Nglish: Translation of nostrum for Spanish Speakers

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