Panacea

Meaning

A solution or remedy claimed to cure all difficulties, diseases, or problems; a universal fix-all.

Origin / Etymology

Greek panakeia (all-healing), from pan (all) + akos (remedy), also the name of the Greek goddess of universal health

Synonyms

Cure-all Universal remedy Silver bullet

Antonyms

Aggravation Problem

Example Sentence

"Technology is not a panacea for deep-rooted social inequality, digitising welfare delivery without addressing exclusion errors and last-mile connectivity perpetuates the same injustices in a new form."

🎯 UPSC Usage

Use in Essay and GS Mains answers to caution against oversimplified solutions, technology, privatisation, or a single policy instrument as a cure-all. Particularly powerful in essays where you need to add nuance after proposing solutions.

Relevant Subjects