steroids
word
Definition
A class of drugs used medically to reduce inflammation or illegally to enhance athletic performance. Also used figuratively to mean an extreme or amplified version of something.
Usage & Nuances
Two main types: corticosteroids (medical, anti-inflammatory) and anabolic steroids (muscle-building, often banned in sports). The idiom "on steroids" means something taken to an extreme — "It's like email on steroids."
Example Sentences
The doctor prescribed steroids to reduce the swelling.
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Using steroids without a prescription is dangerous.
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The athlete was banned for taking steroids.
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This new app is basically a spreadsheet on steroids.
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After three weeks on steroids, her asthma symptoms finally improved.
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The scandal revealed that several top cyclists had been secretly using steroids for years.
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