corrective

adjective

cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv How to pronounce corrective (audio)
: intended to correct
corrective lenses
corrective punishment
corrective noun
correctively adverb

Example Sentences

She had corrective surgery on her knee this past summer. People with bad eyesight usually need to wear corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Recent Examples on the Web Then, a corrective behavior must be implemented that will bring the phenomena back to the average, thereby improving the average. Guy Yehiav, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2023 For this reason and others, Harris’ book—written in engaging prose while filling more than 700 pages—represents both an overdue corrective and a compelling counternarrative. Luke Savage, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Feb. 2023 However, only a few genuinely corrective options exist. Hallie Levine, Health, 13 Feb. 2023 Some companies that violate these regulations are required to publish corrective advertising or have been ordered to remove false and misleading claims. Thomas J. Moore And G. Caleb Alexander, STAT, 26 Jan. 2023 But this grooming of the populace — disguised as social progress — went uncontested until film reviewer Wade Major of the CineGods website took the bold step of writing a corrective letter to the editor of the Times. Armond White, National Review, 4 Jan. 2023 Oftentimes, if things are stabilized after this corrective action, the focus shifts to the next incident, leaving retrospectives and post facto analysis as opportunities to try and delve a bit deeper. Shashank Tiwari, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023 The health department also ordered Athena to hire an independent nurse consultant to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and to oversee corrective action at Newtown Rehabilitation. Jenna Carlesso And Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2023 Districts have 45 days after it is notified by the center to address corrective actions. Meghan Mangrum, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'corrective.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of corrective was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near corrective

Cite this Entry

“Corrective.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corrective. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

corrective

adjective
cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv How to pronounce corrective (audio)
: serving to correct : having the power of making right, normal, or regular
corrective lenses
corrective action
corrective noun

Medical Definition

corrective

1 of 2 adjective
cor·​rec·​tive kə-ˈrek-tiv How to pronounce corrective (audio)
: intended to correct
corrective lenses
corrective surgery
correctively adverb

corrective

2 of 2 noun
: a medication that removes undesirable or unpleasant side effects of other medication
phenobarbital acts as a corrective in overcoming the insomnia produced by ephedrine

More from Merriam-Webster on corrective

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