narrow-spectrum
Limited in scope
Narrow-spectrum describes something that targets a limited range rather than a broad one.
In medicine, a narrow-spectrum antibiotic kills only specific types of bacteria, unlike broad-spectrum drugs that attack many: The doctor prescribed a narrow-spectrum antibiotic to avoid disrupting gut flora.
The term applies similarly to pesticides, antifungals, and other targeted treatments.
Chosen for specific attention
- penicillinFungus-derived infection fighter
- selectiveChoosing with care
- bacterialOf or from germs
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
prescription · infection · amoxicillin · vancomycin · erythromycin · azithromycin · cephalosporin · pathogen
Choosing with care
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- bacillusCylindrical bacterial cell
- beneficialProducing good results
pollinators · integrated · organic · biopesticide · caterpillar · larvae · crop · agricultural
Data transmission capacity
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- transmissionSending of information
radio · filter · interference · channel · modulation · resonance · tuning · receiver
targeted
Chosen for specific attention
- penicillinFungus-derived infection fighter
- selectiveChoosing with care
- bacterialOf or from germs
resistance · prescription · infection · amoxicillin · vancomycin · erythromycin · azithromycin · cephalosporin · pathogen · microbiome
selective
Choosing with care
- targetedChosen for specific attention
- insecticideToxic agent targeting pests
- bacillusCylindrical bacterial cell
beneficial · pollinators · integrated · organic · biopesticide · caterpillar · larvae · crop · agricultural · resistance
bandwidth
Data transmission capacity
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
transmission · radio · filter · interference · channel · modulation · resonance · tuning · receiver · electromagnetic
- antibioticsamoxicillin, penicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin
- Biocidesbiocide, biocidal, germicide, germicidal, disinfectant
narrow-spectrumbroad-spectrum
Effective across many varieties
wide-spectrum · full-spectrum · wide-ranging · comprehensive · universal
narrow-spectrumindiscriminate
Lacking selective judgment
nonselective · generalized · catch-all · broad-spectrum · nonspecific
narrow, inspect, spectrum, specter, narrowness, retrospective