antipyretic
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˌæntiˈpaɪrɛtɪk/
KK: /ˌæntiˈpaɪrɛtɪk/
adjective
Definition
Describing something that helps to lower body temperature when someone has a fever.
Example
The doctor prescribed an antipyretic medication to help reduce her fever.
Conversation
I heard you were feeling under the weather last week.
Yeah, I had a fever that wouldn’t go down.
Did you take anything antipyretic to help with that?
I did! It really helped bring my temperature down.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
fever-reducing
cooling
calming
Antonyms
pyretic
feverish
inflamed
noun
Definition
A type of medicine that helps to lower body temperature when someone has a fever.
Example
The doctor recommended an antipyretic to help reduce my fever.
Conversation
I heard you were feeling sick last week.
Yeah, I had a fever that just wouldn't go down.
Did you take any antipyretic medicine for it?
Root Explanation
Antipyretic is formed from "anti-" (meaning against) and "pyretos" (from Greek πυρετός, meaning fever). The word describes a substance that works against fever.
Memory Tip
Think of 'anti-' meaning against and 'pyretos' relating to fever — that's why antipyretic refers to something that fights fever.
Visually Confused Words
antepyretic
apyretic