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

The Elgin Township 708 Mental Health Board is providing $437,000 for a pilot program to provide preventive measures and early intervention care at five schools in School District U-46.

— Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Use a mobile health unit, home-health infrastructure, telehealth, maternal-health specialists, and community partnerships to expand maternal preventive care and care coordination.

— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of preventive

Adjective

Kaliush says laying out a plan to get enough sleep before the baby comes is an enormously helpful preventative step.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Aug. 2026
Many health systems have started to adopt social prescribing not only as a complement to medical treatment, but as a preventative approach to reduce the need for more intensive care.

— Grant Oliphant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of prophylactic

adjective

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