Cure
What it means
To eliminate a disease or harmful condition so that it no longer persists.
Reach for it when describing full resolution, not merely relief or management
The antibiotic can cure this infection when the strain remains susceptible.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
-
playful
put right
Fits when informal correction of a practical problem is intended
Careful The phrase trivializes serious illness and is too vague for medical claims.
-
everyday
Fits when the condition or problem comes to an end
Careful Resolution can occur naturally and says nothing about what caused recovery.
-
warm
Fits when the body, mind, or relationship returns toward wholeness
Careful Healing may be gradual or incomplete and does not always remove a disease.
-
professional
eradicate
Fits when a disease or harmful agent is completely removed from a population
Careful Eradication operates at population scale; using it for one patient's recovery overclaims.
-
professional
Fits when medical care is given to improve a condition
Careful Treatment may control symptoms or slow disease without curing it.
-
formal
Fits when a problem or defect is corrected
Careful Remedy is broad and may improve a situation without eliminating its cause.
Opposites 3
- cause
- worsen
- prolong
Common phrases 3
-
cure a disease
No single diet has been shown to cure a disease of every type.
-
help cure
Early diagnosis can help cure the infection before complications develop.
-
cure completely
The treatment did not cure completely the underlying disorder.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Cure should not replace treat, manage, relieve, or heal when complete elimination has not been established.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated