therapeutic

adjective

ther·​a·​peu·​tic ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik 

1

: of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods : curative, medicinal

therapeutic diets

They confirmed the therapeutic effect of supplemental light in treating winter depression with phototherapy.

—Richard Wurtman and Judith Wurtman

A just-right amount is the therapeutic dose, just enough to provide the intended effect without problems.

—Paul G. Donohue

2

: having a beneficial effect on the body or mind

Warm lotion manicures … are a luxurious, therapeutic treat …

—Elle

… they painted, hoed, swept, and planted when the mood for therapeutic work struck them, and lolled on the beach when they felt like it.

—David Guterson

3

: producing a useful or favorable result or effect

In classical economics, before the illusion of fine-tuning became widespread, recessions were regarded as therapeutic.

—Geoffrey Smith and Jane Sasseen

therapeutic noun

therapeutically

ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• curative
• healing
• medicinal
• officinal
• remedial
• restorative

Examples of therapeutic in a Sentence

the therapeutic benefits of yoga

Gardening can be very therapeutic.

the therapeutic effects of radiation

Recent Examples on the Web

Lastly, therapeutic competencies are crucial, enabling professionals to address the psychological aspects of financial behavior effectively. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

When nearly every cultural institution in Southern California was shuttered, the Huntington’s gardens, which reopened as of July 2020, provided a therapeutic escape. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023

Songwriting is a therapeutic practice for Olivia Rodrigo. —Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2023

Substances as different as alcohol, tobacco and opioids may share underlying mechanisms or therapeutic targets. —David A. Brenner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023

Some services ended years ago, but El Paso United Family Resiliency Center, which connects those affected by the shooting to therapeutic services such as counseling, has continued to hear from victims needing help. —Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023

For Cabana Zero, a prototype built last year at a therapeutic retreat in the hills of Areal, a 30-mile drive northeast of Videiras, the architects Alziro Carvalho Neto, 42, and Felipe Rio Branco, 44, of Gávea Arquitetos, incorporated similarly elemental construction techniques. —Michael Snyder Pedro Kok, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2023

The plans cover accidents, illnesses, surgeries, hospitalization, prescription medication or therapeutic diets. —Hang Nguyen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023

Page, the lead author of a comprehensive statement on cannabis released by American Heart Association in 2020, wrote that cannabis may have some therapeutic benefits, but not for the heart. —Akshay Syal, M.d., NBC News, 18 Nov. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Greek therapeutikos, from therapeuein to attend, treat, from theraps attendant

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing therapeutic

• sub-therapeutic
• therapeutic touch
• therapeutic index

• sub-therapeutic
• therapeutic touch
• therapeutic index

Kids Definition

therapeutic

adjective

ther·​a·​peu·​tic ˌther-ə-ˈpyüt-ik 

: of or relating to the treatment of diseases or disorders by using healing agents or methods

therapeutic studies

also : curative, medicinal

therapeutic diets

Medical Definition

therapeutic

adjective

ther·​a·​peu·​tic -ˈpyüt-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or used in the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods : curative, medicinal

… the dose was increased to 8 mg per day, which is the higher end of the therapeutic dosage range.

—Hasan B. Alam et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

Conscious sedation is used increasingly in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, ranging from gastrointestinal endoscopy to minor surgery in patients who are relaxed, but responsive.

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

They confirmed the therapeutic effect of supplemental light in treating winter depression with phototherapy.

—Richard Wurtman and Judith Wurtman, Scientific American

2

: having a beneficial effect on the body or mind

California psychotherapist Annette Goodheart believes not only that laughter can be therapeutic but also that therapy needs to include laughter.

—Jeff Wagenheim, New Age Journal

therapeutically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

a therapeutically effective regimen

therapeutically equivalent drugs