anabolic
1 antonyms and opposites of anabolic, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Describing a substance, especially a synthetic hormone related to testosterone, that promotes the growth of muscle and bone.
Antonyms
How to Use Anabolic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral in biology; in everyday use it almost always implies steroids.
Etymology
From Greek anabolē 'a throwing up, building up', from ana- 'up' + ballein 'to throw'.
Full origin of anabolic →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between anabolic and catabolic?
Anabolic processes build tissue up, using energy to make larger molecules such as muscle protein. Catabolic processes break tissue down to release energy. Training breaks muscle down; eating and resting build it back up.
Are anabolic steroids the same as the steroids doctors prescribe for inflammation?
No, and the confusion matters. Anabolic steroids mimic testosterone and build muscle. Corticosteroids such as prednisone reduce inflammation and can actually waste muscle over time. They are different drug classes with different effects.
Are anabolic steroids legal?
In most countries they are prescription-only and possession without one is an offence — they are Class C in the UK and Schedule III in the US. They are also banned by essentially every sporting body.