decongests

Opens stuffed sinuses

Decongests means relieves congestion—most often nasal or sinus blockage.

A medicine that decongests opens swollen passages and restores airflow: This spray decongests within minutes.

The word applies to any clearing of crowded or blocked systems: The new bypass decongests downtown traffic.

respiratory

bronchodilator

Medication widening lung passages

expectorantMedication promoting mucus discharge
mucolyticAgent dissolving viscous secretions
inhalerPortable respiratory medication device

pulmonary · trachea · alveoli · bronchi · airways · chest · phlegm · wheeze · asthma · ventilation

nasal

sinuses

Air-filled skull cavities

nostrilsBreathing holes in face
nasalOf the nose
sprayDispersed liquid droplets

mucus · phlegm · saline · neti pot · antihistamine · pseudoephedrine · stuffy · blocked · stuffiness · drainage

relief

soothing

Reducing distress or discomfort

easingReducing strain or difficulty
alleviationReduction of intensity
comfortEase or soothing relief

respite · ease · lessening · mitigation · remedy · palliative · therapeutic · calming · cooling · mentholated

clearing

unclog

Remove an obstruction

flushSame suit, five cards
drainChannel for wastewater
clearWithout obstruction or fog

unblock · open · free · relieve · loosen · expel · dissolve · thin · break up · dislodge

Opposites

nasal/respiratory blockage

decongestscongests

Overfills to obstruction

clogs · blocks · obstructs · stuffs up · stops up

flow/traffic obstruction

decongestscongests

Overfills to obstruction

clogs · jams · blocks · obstructs · backs up

Phrases

nasal decongestantsDrugs relieving sinus congestion
decongestant sprayMedicine clearing blocked airways

Family

decongestant, decongestants, decongest, decongestion, decongested, decongesting

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G