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

Occupational Therapists help patients regain independence after injuries or disabilities through therapeutic interventions. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

The event helps GiGi’s Playhouse continue its mission of providing free educational, therapeutic and career programs for community members with Down syndrome of all ages. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

There are many ways world leaders, businesses and consumers are grappling with the growing threat of a global trade war, but perhaps the easiest — and, for some, the most therapeutic — is to rely on dark humor. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025

An Ohio community remembers Fiona, a Great Pyrenees-golden retriever mix therapy dog, who completed a goal of over 1,000 therapeutic visits. —Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025

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 index
• therapeutic touch

Rhymes for therapeutic

• hermeneutic
• antiscorbutic
• chemotherapeutic
• psychotherapeutic
• enzootic
• scorbutic

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