as in traditional
based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation
even in this age of e-mail the prescriptive response to a wedding gift is a handwritten thank-you note
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prescriptive
Being incredibly prescriptive about child-rearing in that way can arguably be harmful because children are their own people, and part of growing up is making mistakes.
—
CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
An addendum to team agreements outlines 14 highly specific marketing requirements—far more prescriptive than the general promotional language typically found in college sports event contracts.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2026
But the Daodejing is more descriptive than prescriptive – less how-to and more what is.
—Stephen Chen, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit filed by Airlines for America contends that strict liability for wheelchair damage exposes carriers to unreasonable financial risk and that the regulatory approach is overly prescriptive in addressing industry practices.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
An addendum to team agreements outlines 14 highly specific marketing requirements—far more prescriptive than the general promotional language typically found in college sports event contracts.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 20 Mar. 2026
But the Daodejing is more descriptive than prescriptive – less how-to and more what is.
—Stephen Chen, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit filed by Airlines for America contends that strict liability for wheelchair damage exposes carriers to unreasonable financial risk and that the regulatory approach is overly prescriptive in addressing industry practices.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescriptive
Adjective
-
Crypto apps like Coinbase have begun to diversify into non-crypto assets, and more traditional retail finance apps like Robinhood have begun to dip their toes into areas like tokenized stocks.—
Jack Kubinec,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
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People are in the right conditions, so meetings are more meaningful than in a traditional market where everything is back-to-back.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The president has long bristled at the otherwise customary joking at his expense by celebrity comedians.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
28 Apr. 2026
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The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Reportedly, this new design also outperformed conventional systems by reducing active material leakage.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The paramilitary guard will take over security duties currently performed by conventional military forces.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescriptive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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