PROPHYLACTIC Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

prophylactic

adjective

ˌprō-fə-ˈlak-tik

Definition of prophylactic

as in preventive

concerned with or serving to keep something from happening the many prophylactic measures that city officials could have taken to reduce the scope of the disaster

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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 prophylactic There are no approved therapeutics or preventive prophylactic measures for the Bundibugyo virus. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 May 2026 Seers followed diagnosis with a prophylactic treatment, analogous to when tech companies prescribe more tech to deal with the problems that arise from tech. — Literary Hub, 22 Apr. 2026 The plan may be flawed, but making one is a kind of prophylactic. — Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026 Jonathan Gholston of Jacksonville pleaded guilty March 2 to conspiring to collect kickbacks by referring Medicare and Medicaid recipients to receive prophylactic medicines that prevent infection with the virus that causes AIDS. — Steve Patterson, Florida Times-Union, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prophylactic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prophylactic

Adjective

In addition to vaccination, Public Health recommended that residents take preventive measures such as washing their hands frequently, staying home when sick and wearing masks when experiencing symptoms.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
For decades, measles was invisible to most Americans, and the MMR vaccine, like many preventive tools, became a victim of its own success.

— Raj Panjabi, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of preventive

Adjective

Marathon Health, a health company that provides preventative and primary care and has 3,500 employees based around the country, contracted Progyny last year to offer midlife benefits.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Oct. 2026
Kerry is an example; thanks to preventative screening, doctors found a nodule in her lung that ended up being cancerous.

— Tara Molina, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of preventative

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prophets

prophylactic

propine

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“Prophylactic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prophylactic. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prophylactic

adjective

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