as in traditional
based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation
even in this age of e-mail the prescriptive response to a wedding gift is a handwritten thank-you note
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Recent Examples of prescriptive
At its core, Carrier frames the museum’s responsibility as preservational rather than prescriptive.
—
William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 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
Control should feel empowering, not prescriptive.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 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
Control should feel empowering, not prescriptive.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescriptive
Adjective
-
The elevator delivers you to the lobby, where hanging textiles in warm ocher tones serve as the signature art piece, dyed using dorozome, a traditional mud-dyeing technique, with soil from the building site itself.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The board denied renewal of Green Dot Locke High charter by a 4-3 vote, citing lower performance compared to traditional schools.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Another Arsenal goal kick and Raya, after a customary bit of stud cleaning, drills the ball long.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The film is faithful to the franchise’s customary angst, with riotous needle drops (and an obligatory new Nick Cave track) courtesy of Antony Genn and Martin Slattery.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The key innovation in this motor lies in the use of amorphous steel, a material that differs from conventional electrical steels commonly used in motor cores.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Our goal is also always to bring together established and emerging voices, challenging the conventional formats.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescriptive. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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