panacea

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for July 24, 2025 is "panacea", a noun that refers to a cure-all that makes everything better in a situation. The word is often used to describe a remedy that falls short of its claimed benefits. In an example sentence, a new program is expected to help with a city's housing crisis, but it's not a panacea. Author Elif Shafak notes that information is not a panacea for the world's problems, as it lacks knowledge and wisdom. The concept of a miraculous cure has existed for millennia, dating back to ancient Latin and Greek words. The Latin word "panacēa" and Greek "panákeia" referred to flowering herbs with healing properties, used to treat various ailments. These herbs, including mints and yarrows, were part of the carrot family. The word "panacea" comes from the Greek word "panakēs", meaning "all-healing". Despite its origins, the word "panacea" is now often used to describe a remedy that doesn't live up to its promises. The phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is a similar concept, but is not actually true. Overall, a panacea is a solution that is expected to solve all problems, but often falls short.