im·mu·no·sup·pres·sive
ˌi-myə-nō-sə-ˈpre-siv 
i-ˌmyü-nō-
: causing or characterized by immunosuppression
This pneumonia is characteristically an opportunistic infection, occurring in people whose immune system has been profoundly impaired by cancer or by powerful immunosuppressive drugs.—
William L. Heyward and James W. Curran
William L. Heyward and James W. CurranProgression of conditions associated with human papillomavirus, such as cutaneous warts, is common in patients receiving long-term immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation.—Nektarios I. Lountzis et al.
Nektarios I. Lountzis et al.
plural immunosuppressives
: immunosuppressant
The trials may also be too risky for people who are severely immunocompromised—i.e., you have cancer or take immunosuppressives.—Julia Ries
Julia RiesExamples of immunosuppressive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Reactivation typically occurs when your immune system is weak, which can occur due to aging, stress, or immunosuppressive conditions.5
Shingles manifests as a painful rash, often appearing on one side of the body or face.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 June 2023
Some people should not get the vaccine, including pregnant women, people with certain blood disorders or those on prolonged immunosuppressive therapy, and those with a moderate or severe illness, among others.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for immunosuppressive 
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Adjective
Hydroxychloroquine is an immunosuppressive drug, while ivermectin is used to treat infections caused by parasites.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Reactivation typically occurs when your immune system is weak, which can occur due to aging, stress, or immunosuppressive conditions.5
Shingles manifests as a painful rash, often appearing on one side of the body or face.
—Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
However, the short-term release of cortisol is not bad, as cortisol is known to have immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 14 June 2023
Some people should not get the vaccine, including pregnant women, people with certain blood disorders or those on prolonged immunosuppressive therapy, and those with a moderate or severe illness, among others.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for immunosuppressive
Dictionary Entries Near immunosuppressive
Cite this Entry
“Immunosuppressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immunosuppressive. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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immunosuppressive
1 of 2 adjective
im·mu·no·sup·pres·sive
ˌim-yə-nō-sə-ˈpres-iv
im-ˌyü-nō-
im-ˌyü-nō-
: causing or characterized by immunosuppression
… graft-versus-host disease strikes the skin, gut, liver and lymph tissues and can lead to death unless rapidly brought under control by immunosuppressive drugs.—Joan Arehart-Treichel, Science News
Joan Arehart-Treichel, Science NewsThese drugs may also have immunosuppressive actions, which may contribute to their ability to induce permanent remissions of Graves' disease.—Kiyoshi Hashizume et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Kiyoshi Hashizume et al., The New England Journal of Medicineimmunosuppressive
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