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Glite Dictionary
to contraindicate

to contraindicate

3 9.9
Make a medicine or surgery unsafe for someone because of a health problem
  • verb
  • /ˌkɒntrəˈɪndɪˌkeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : contraindicar
  • Rotavirus vaccine, however, is currently contraindicated in infants with severe combined immunodeficiency due to reports of vaccine-acquired rotavirus infection.
  • contraindicated in patients
  • contraindicated in pregnancy
  • contraindicated treatment

Examples

  • As with the wrist flexion exercise, this exercise may also be contraindicated for some players due to prior overuse.

    Academic text (2002)

  • A standard walker, therefore, would be contraindicated for a patient who has had spine surgery.

    Academic text (2007)

  • "Our file shows that any such step would be contraindicated," the doctor said.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Although these studies suggest that vitamin C could be contraindicated in these conditions.

  • Other treatment options have failed, are contraindicated, or are declined by the woman.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Less than 30 years ago, we were taught that beta-blockers were contraindicated in heart failure.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Live vaccines may be temporarily or permanently contraindicated in individuals who are.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Methotrexate is a human teratogen, so it is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The combined oral contraceptive pill is absolutely contraindicated in migraine with aura.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The doctor informed her that the medication would be contraindicated due to her existing health issues.

Synonyms

to forbid
vsto contraindicate
60 2.8

Stop something from happening

is used when a condition makes a treatment inadvisable rather than banned by rule
to preclude
vsto contraindicate
55 7.2

To stop something from happening or make it impossible

is used when a condition makes a treatment inadvisable, not when it makes it impossible
to inhibit
vsto contraindicate
30 5.4

Stop or make something less likely to happen

is used when a condition makes a treatment inadvisable rather than impossible

Antonyms

to indicate
  • Specialized
37 4.7

Be the right treatment for a particular illness or problem

How Appropriate

to necessitate
  • Formal
24 6.3
to indicate
  • Specialized
37 4.7
to favor
  • US
286 2.0
to contraindicate
  • Specialized
3 9.9

Surface Forms

contraindicate infinitive
contraindicated past
contraindicated past participle
contraindicating present participle
contraindicates third person singular

Morphology

contraindicate = indicate (semi-transparent) = contra + indicate

Formally built from 'contra-' + 'indicate' so the meaning 'indicate against' is recoverable, but the usage is specialized (medical) and 'contra-' is less familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Contraindicate comes from Latin parts contra- 'against' and indicare 'to point out' and is related to the common word indicate. So to contraindicate a treatment is to 'point out' that it is 'against' a patient's condition, meaning it should not be used.