panacea

¹

[pan-uh-see-uh]

noun

1. a remedy for all disease or ills.

   Synonyms: cure-all, nostrum, elixir

2. an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties.

   His economic philosophy is a good one, but he tries to use it as a panacea.

   Synonyms: cure-all, nostrum, elixir

Panacea

²

[pan-uh-see-uh]

noun

1. an ancient Greek goddess of healing.

panacea

/ ˌpænəˈsɪə /

noun

1. a remedy for all diseases or ills

Other Word Forms

• panacean adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of panacea¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin, from Greek panákeia, equivalent to panake-, stem of panakḗs “all-healing” ( pan- “all” + akḗs “a cure”) + -ia noun suffix; pan-, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of panacea¹

C16: via Latin from Greek panakeia healing everything, from pan all + akēs remedy

Example Sentences

And while sanctions aren’t a panacea, they can deter some Americans from working with the cartels.

From Los Angeles Times

They will have powers to intervene in these sorts of situations, and there is no panacea to bad decision making.

From BBC

But the law was far from a panacea.

From Los Angeles Times

Moore said ivermectin was not the panacea some are making it out to be and that it is not a benign drug in large quantities.

From Salon

Only it hasn't been the panacea that many had hoped, and there are a number of hurdles still to overcome.

From BBC

Related Words

• elixir