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

In quantum physics, particles can combine to create an additive effect or even cancel each other out as opposite phases of a wave. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026

Holmes Cay has reserved some of these casks to continue to mature, meaning there will be older releases of this additive-free rum in the future. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 18 June 2026

Noun

The model’s pitch is built on consent, transparency, rights clearance, and creator participation to attempt to make AI additive rather than extractive. — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

In the food industry, lecithin is used as an additive to combine foods, the medical center added. — James Powel, USA Today, 15 June 2026