antioxidant
3 synonyms and 3 antonyms for antioxidant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A substance that slows or prevents oxidation, the chemical reaction in which a molecule loses electrons, often to oxygen. In the body, antioxidants react with unstable molecules called free radicals; in food and cosmetics they are added to stop fats and other ingredients from going rancid or degrading.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to Use Antioxidant
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Used across nutrition, food technology, chemistry and cosmetics; in food marketing the word is often used loosely.
Etymology
From anti- meaning against, plus oxidant, a substance that causes oxidation.
Full origin of antioxidant →Frequently Asked Questions
What is a free radical?
It is a molecule with an unpaired electron, which makes it highly reactive and liable to take an electron from whatever it meets. Antioxidants are substances that can supply that electron without becoming unstable themselves.
Is antioxidant a category of nutrient?
Not exactly. It describes a chemical behaviour rather than a nutrient class. Vitamin C, vitamin E and many plant compounds are called antioxidants because of how they react, but they are otherwise unrelated substances with different roles.
Why are antioxidants added to cosmetics and foods?
To keep the product itself stable. Oils and certain active ingredients degrade on contact with air, and an antioxidant in the formula slows that process, extending shelf life.