Contraindicates

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Shows that a particular drug, procedure or therapy should not be given because it could be harmful in a specific situation
2. Signals that a medication or treatment is unsafe or inadvisable for a patient with a certain condition
3. Warns against using a certain remedy, since it may cause harm under particular circumstances or in particular patients

Etymology: "Contraindicates" is the third-person singular present form of "contraindicate," so it is a verb form built on the word "contraindicate," which is formed from "contra-" and "indicate." The prefix "contra-" comes from Latin, where it meant "against" or "opposite," and it sits in the same family as "contrary" and "contrast." "Indicate" comes from Latin "indicare," meaning "to point out" or "to show," so the whole word literally means something like "to point out against." The combined sense is one of signalling opposition: a condition or circumstance that counts against a particular treatment or action. In medicine, a contraindication is a reason not to use a drug or procedure, which is why "contraindicates" typically describes a symptom, condition, or factor that makes a given course of action inadvisable.

Synonyms: advise against, counterindicate

Antonyms: recommend, indicate