prescriptive
adjective
pre·scrip·tive
pri-ˈskrip-tiv 
1
: serving to prescribe
prescriptive rules of usage
2
: acquired by, founded on, or determined by prescription or by long-standing custom
prescriptively
adverb
Examples of prescriptive in a Sentence
Critics claim the new rules are too prescriptive.
even in this age of e-mail the prescriptive response to a wedding gift is a handwritten thank-you note
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Here, the outfits felt less prescriptive and more expressive, as A-listers who may feel hemmed-in by the traditional glamazon gowns and suits expected at the Academy Awards seemed to let their hair down.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 16 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
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.
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
Here, the outfits felt less prescriptive and more expressive, as A-listers who may feel hemmed-in by the traditional glamazon gowns and suits expected at the Academy Awards seemed to let their hair down.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 16 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
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescriptive. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
prescriptive
adjective
pre·scrip·tive
pri-ˈskrip-tiv
1
: serving to prescribe
prescriptive rules
2
: acquired by, founded on, or constituting prescription
a prescriptive right
a longer prescriptive period
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
