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
At its core, Carrier frames the museum’s responsibility as preservational rather than prescriptive.
—
William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
These prescriptive measures took place in isolated medical facilities known as sanatoriums, and some of the fancier ones resembled a cross between a hospital and a resort.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
Some graphic scores are relatively prescriptive, stipulating rhythms, dynamics, and melody in a manner not unlike conventional scores.
—Olivia Giovetti, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
While the theory was meant to be explanatory, in the sense that observers used it to explain apparently irrational behavior, it has sometimes been used in a prescriptive way, as an approach consciously adopted by leaders.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
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William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
These prescriptive measures took place in isolated medical facilities known as sanatoriums, and some of the fancier ones resembled a cross between a hospital and a resort.
—Outside, 31 Jan. 2026
Some graphic scores are relatively prescriptive, stipulating rhythms, dynamics, and melody in a manner not unlike conventional scores.
—Olivia Giovetti, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
While the theory was meant to be explanatory, in the sense that observers used it to explain apparently irrational behavior, it has sometimes been used in a prescriptive way, as an approach consciously adopted by leaders.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 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 14 Feb. 2026.
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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
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