1
as in reformative
serving to raise or adjust something to some standard or proper condition
eyeglasses are called corrective lenses by the department of motor vehicles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
a corrective sentence of five years' hard labor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
a substantial outflow of people proved to be the necessary corrective for the spiraling cost of housing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in antidote
something that corrects or counteracts something undesirable
the only corrective to bad behavior is good, firm discipline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of corrective
Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2026
The reframe worked like a set of corrective lenses, sharpening sentimental mush into something with meaning and claws.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corrective
Adjective
At the time of Jaxon’s death, the county was nearing the end of an 18-month corrective action plan aimed at improving oversight and safety within the system.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 20 Apr. 2026
The reframe worked like a set of corrective lenses, sharpening sentimental mush into something with meaning and claws.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corrective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corrective
Adjective
-
As part of the reformative aims of the convict system, many of these men were incarcerated at Fremantle Prison, trained, and put to work on infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, and public buildings.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Fifty-five years after Martin Luther King's death, African Americans continue to proudly honor his reformative legacy in Phoenix.—
The Arizona Republic,
The Arizona Republic,
14 Jan. 2024
Adjective
-
Voters who worry about Talarico’s deployment of faith may not be reassured by Paxton’s rather punitive approach to Christianity.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Also in February, the White House unveiled Project Vault, a $12 billion initiative to stockpile critical minerals and insulate American industry from punitive export restrictions.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Through an algebraic analysis of the robots’ parameters, such as the lengths of their links and the offsets of their joints, the team mapped out exactly where the singularities lie within their joint space.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In these window boxes, the bluish hue of dichondra 'Silver Falls' offsets pink begonias and Madagascar periwinkle.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Former Los Angeles Times scribe Louis Sahagun wrote about the company’s effort to bring its anti-venom antidote, Varespladib, to the market in 2023.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
And the Chiefs jumped up three spots to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane as a new antidote to the Waddle-Courtland Sutton combination in Denver.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The video titles, descriptions and opening sequences often give the illusion that the content is educational and beneficial for toddlers and preschoolers.—
Dana Suskind,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Basil and tomatoes share a mutually beneficial relationship.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Thedford didn’t doubt that Talley made efforts at self-improvement while behind bars, but noted that one of his previous cases involved a charge of Talley throwing feces at a correctional officer while in custody.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Video footage of the incident obtained by KQED appears to show the women gesticulating and shouting at the correctional staff before the officers form a line and deploy pepper spray and mace grenades at the group.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ethics watchdogs have flagged concerns that these donations could buy favorable regulatory treatment from the federal government, while the White House counters that critics would complain if the project were funded by taxpayers.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Running seconds appear in the subdial at 7 o’clock, while the subdial at 4 o’clock features a 30-minute counter.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The second will determine an appropriate remedy if the jury and judge find in Musk’s favor.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Jury selection starts Monday, but jurors won’t have the final say in either the liability phase of the trial or the remedies phase, if the trial reaches that point.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Corrective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corrective. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
