毒薬|どくやくdokuyaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpoison

• Synonym毒物どくぶつWrittenWritten term for a poisonous substance, common in chemistry and law as in 「毒物劇物取締法」; it need not be a drug, unlike 「毒薬」.
• Synonym毒どくNeutralThe most general word for poison, also used figuratively for harmful things as in 「目の毒」; 「毒薬」 is restricted to drugs.
• SynonymポイズンNeutralLoanword covering poison and harmful things in general; uncommon on its own in everyday speech, while 「毒薬」 refers specifically to a highly toxic drug.
• Related毒素どくそWrittenWritten term for a toxin produced inside a living organism, as in 「細菌の毒素」; 「毒薬」 is a drug.
• Antonym解毒剤げどくざいNeutralAn antidote that neutralizes poison taken into the body; it stands in opposition to 「毒薬」.

For poison in general say 「毒」. Use 「毒薬」 for a highly toxic drug, as in 「毒薬を盛る」 — legally, a drug stronger than 「劇薬」. 「毒物」 is the written term for a toxic substance in chemical or legal contexts, 「毒素」 for a biological toxin, and 「解毒剤」 is the antidote.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 毒性どくせいがあり、劇薬げきやくよりも作用さようが激はげしい薬物やくぶつ。