asymptomatic
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for asymptomatic, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Having a disease, infection or condition without showing any of its noticeable signs or feeling unwell.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
symptomless
subclinical
Antonyms
How to use asymptomatic
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
asymptomatic carrier
asymptomatic infection
remain asymptomatic
asymptomatic cases
Medical in origin but now in general use. It describes both people and conditions: an asymptomatic carrier, an asymptomatic tumour.
Etymology
From Greek a- 'without' and symptomatic, ultimately from symptoma 'a happening, an occurrence'.
Full origin of asymptomatic →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between asymptomatic and presymptomatic?
Presymptomatic means symptoms have not appeared yet but will. Asymptomatic means they never appear at all through the whole course of the infection. The two can only be told apart in hindsight, which is why early reports often mix them up.
Can an asymptomatic person be contagious?
With many infections, yes. Transmission depends on how much virus or bacteria a person sheds, and that can be substantial even when they feel perfectly well, which is what makes asymptomatic spread hard to control.
