Synonyms of additive

additive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-də-tiv 

as in cumulative

produced by a series of additions of identical or similar things

certain drugs have additive effects when taken in conjunction with each other that one doesn't see when any one is used alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cumulative
• accumulative
• incremental
• accretive
• gradual
• conglomerative
• stepwise
• step-by-step
• progressive
• aggregated
• built-up
• accruable
• compiled
• increscent
• accrued
• amassed
• conglomerated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regressive
• decremental
• degressive
• decrescent

additive

2 of 2

noun

as in subsidiary

Related Words

• subsidiary
• accompaniment
• complement
• supplement
• option
• adjunct
• appendage
• adapter
• accessory
• appliance
• add-on
• attachment
• accoutrement

Dissimilar Words

• essential
• requirement
• necessity
• requisite

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of additive

Adjective

This combination of climatic, conflict, market and epidemic shocks are not simply additive but multiplicative, with each intensifying the other. — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

While automotive and marine oils may use similar base stocks, the key difference is in the additive packages. — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 11 July 2026

Noun

Wool is fully biodegradable and can be used as a mulch, fertilizer, and soil additive. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

Then, once the cell is exposed to sunlight, the additive undergoes a molecular transformation that enables it to bind tightly to the perovskite’s grain boundaries. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026