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panacea

What is the opposite of panacea? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.

Noun — A single remedy or solution supposed to fix every problem — usually said sceptically, of something that cannot really do so.

How to use panacea

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

no panacea not a panacea seen as a panacea

Usually appears in the negative — "no panacea" — to puncture an overclaim.

Etymology

From Greek "panakeia," a universal remedy, from "pan-" (all) plus "akos" (cure). Panacea was also the Greek goddess of healing.

Full origin of panacea →

Frequently asked questions

What does panacea mean?
A supposed cure for everything. In modern use it is nearly always negative — pointing out that something being sold as a complete solution is not one.
What is a synonym for panacea?
Cure-all, silver bullet or universal remedy. "Silver bullet" is the most common everyday equivalent.

Nearby words

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.