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panacea

Noun

IPA /ˌpænəˈsiːə/

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Meaning in plain English

Something believed to be able to solve every problem in a particular situation, often unrealistically.

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Pronunciation

panacea/ˌpænəˈsiːə/

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Several different household problems
One product claims to fix them all
Can one thing really solve everything?

A panacea is presented as a solution to every problem in a situation.

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Examples in context

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Buying more storage boxes is no panacea for a cluttered home.
The new software is not a panacea for every communication problem.

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Buying more storage boxes is no ________ for a cluttered home.

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panacea — Something believed to be able to solve every problem in a particular situation, often unrealistically.

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Something believed to be able to solve every problem in a particular situation, often unrealistically.

Compare: Buying more storage boxes is no panacea for a cluttered home.

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Word origin

Through Latin from Greek panakeia, connected with pan, meaning all, and akos, meaning remedy.

Did you know?

No panacea and not a panacea are common ways to reject an overly simple solution.

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