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

The speed of additive construction changes the blueprint for military logistics. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026

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

Noun

Ethanol is a fuel additive made primarily from corn, and a lower E10 blend is already available year-round. — Makenzie Huber, States Newsroom, 6 Aug. 2026

Take Bovaer, a popular feed additive that reduces cows’ methane emissions — or, in other words, minimizes the methane in their burps. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026