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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in subsidiary
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of additive
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Slow, steady growth, coupled with additive peripheral plantings, would drive natural expansion.
—Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
The drink is divisive, like telling a Minnesotan his Michelob Golden Light isn’t good enough without a fruity additive.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for additive
Adjective
Peacock is additive to the Sunday night window, whereas locking TNF behind a paywall has helped boost share among adults 18-34 at the expense of a more robust crowd of fans 50 and up.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 21 Nov. 2025
Slow, steady growth, coupled with additive peripheral plantings, would drive natural expansion.
—Eric J. Wallace, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Earlier, in another development, scientists in China unveiled a new electrolyte additive that could make EV lithium-metal batteries last 3,000 cycles.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
The drink is divisive, like telling a Minnesotan his Michelob Golden Light isn’t good enough without a fruity additive.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for additive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for additive
Adjective
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As of late 2025, cumulative shipments of the 587Ah platform have exceeded 2 GWh.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
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Traditional television, meanwhile, is forecast to decline by a cumulative $8 billion as linear advertising and pay-TV subscriptions continue to erode.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Chinese tech giant Baidu recently also announced plans to spin off its AI chip subsidiary, Kunlunxin , and list it in Hong Kong.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
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In 2017, at the height of the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis when Rodríguez was foreign minister, Caracas donated half a million dollars to Trump’s inauguration committee through its oil subsidiary CITGO4.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ginnifer Goodwin also wore a pixie-sized version of the trend for the night by Clayton Hawkins, a perfect accompaniment to her short hair.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
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Singing is always more fun with accompaniment.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ethereally beautiful, with platinum hair, Fastvold radiates calm, a complement to Seyfried’s quicksilver curiosity, though both women have about them an inspiring clarity.—
Claire Messud,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
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The five-time All-Star was the starting shooting guard next to Curry for all four of the team’s modern-day titles, providing defense and the perfect off-ball complement to Curry’s dynamism.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Karpushin likes marmalade at the bottom of a glass with Greek yogurt on top, but notes his company's marmalades also make gorgeous salad dressings or simple syrup supplements for cocktails.—
Amy Sherman,
Martha Stewart,
8 Jan. 2026
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Most studies look at these supplements independently.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Additive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/additive. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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