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active substances

/æk.tɪv ˈsʌb.stəns/ · ac.tive.sub.stan.ces
noun
  1. Chemical compounds that have a biological effect on living organisms. The active substances in the medicine were responsible for its therapeutic effects.
noun
  1. Substances that are capable of undergoing a chemical reaction or change. The active substances in the battery were depleted after a few years of use.

Synonyms

active agentsbiologically active compoundschemical reactantspharmacologically active substances

Antonyms

inactive substancesinert compoundsnon-reactive substances
Did you know? The term 'active substances' is often used in the context of pharmaceuticals, where it refers to the chemical compounds responsible for the therapeutic effects of a medication.

Related terms

chemical compoundsbiological effectspharmacologychemistrybiologysubstance
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Aug 6, 2026