anaerobic
1 synonym and 1 antonym for anaerobic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Happening or living without oxygen.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
anaerobiotic
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective technical
Happening or living without oxygen.
“Anaerobic bacteria thrive in the sealed tank.”
anaerobiotic
Opposites
2. adjective
Describing intense, short bursts of exercise in which the muscles work faster than oxygen can be supplied, such as sprinting or heavy lifting.
“Sprint intervals are anaerobic, so you cannot hold the pace for long.”
Opposites
How to use anaerobic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
anaerobic bacteria
anaerobic exercise
anaerobic digestion
anaerobic threshold
Technical in biology and chemistry; everyday in fitness writing.
Etymology
From Greek an- 'without', aēr 'air' and bios 'life'.
Full origin of anaerobic →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between aerobic and anaerobic exercise?
Aerobic exercise is steady and sustained, such as jogging or cycling, and your body supplies the working muscles with enough oxygen to keep going. Anaerobic exercise is short and very intense, such as sprinting or heavy lifting, and the muscles produce energy without enough oxygen, so fatigue sets in within seconds or minutes.
Is anaerobic exercise better than aerobic?
Neither is better; they do different jobs. Aerobic training builds cardiovascular endurance, while anaerobic training builds strength, power and speed, and most balanced programmes include both.
What are anaerobic bacteria?
They are bacteria that live without oxygen, and many are actually harmed by it. They are found in places such as deep soil, the gut and sealed digesters, and some cause infections in wounds where oxygen cannot reach.
