Antiseptic vs. Antibacterial

Antisepticadjective

Of, or relating to antisepsis, or the use of antiseptics.

Antibacterialadjective

Killing or inhibiting bacteria.

‘This drug has an antibacterial effect.’;

Antisepticadjective

Capable of preventing microbial infection.

Antibacterialadjective

(archaic) Opposing the theory that diseases are caused by bacteria.

Antisepticadjective

Very clean; aseptic.

Antibacterialnoun

(pharmacology) A drug having the effect of killing or inhibiting bacteria.

‘Many household products contain antibacterials.’;

Antisepticadjective

Free of unpleasantness; sanitized or bowdlerized.

Antibacterialadjective

killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria; - applied also to serum for protection against bacterial diseases.

Antisepticnoun

Any substance that inhibits the growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Generally includes only those that are used on living objects (as opposed to disinfectants) and aren't transported by the lymphatic system to destroy bacteria in the body (as opposed to antibiotics).

Antibacterialnoun

a chemical substance which kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria.

Antisepticadjective

Counteracting or preventing putrefaction, or a putrescent tendency in the system; antiputrefactive.

Antibacterialnoun

any drug that destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth

Antisepticnoun

a substance which kills or retards the growth of microorganisms, especially when used for protection against infection; a substance which prevents or retards putrefaction, or destroys, or protects from, putrefactive organisms; as, carbolic acid, alcohol, cinchona, and many other agents sold commercially.

Antibacterialadjective

destroying bacteria or inhibiting their growth

Antisepticnoun

a substance that destroys micro-organisms that carry disease without harming body tissues

Antisepticadjective

thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms;

‘doctors in antiseptic green coats’; ‘the antiseptic effect of alcohol’; ‘it is said that marjoram has antiseptic qualities’;

Antisepticadjective

clean and honest;

‘antiseptic financial practices’;

Antisepticadjective

freeing from error or corruption;

‘the antiseptic effect of sturdy criticism’;

Antisepticadjective

made free from live bacteria or other microorganisms;

‘sterilized instruments’;

Antisepticadjective

(extended sense) of exceptionally clean language;

‘lyrics as antiseptic as Sunday School’;

Antiseptic

An antiseptic (from Greek ἀντί anti, and σηπτικός sēptikos, ) is an antimicrobial substance or compound that is applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Antiseptics are generally distinguished from antibiotics by the latter's ability to safely destroy bacteria within the body, and from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects.Antibacterials include antiseptics that have the proven ability to act against bacteria.

‘against’; ‘putrefactive’;