1
as in reformative
serving to raise or adjust something to some standard or proper condition
eyeglasses are called corrective lenses by the department of motor vehicles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
a corrective sentence of five years' hard labor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
a substantial outflow of people proved to be the necessary corrective for the spiraling cost of housing
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in antidote
something that corrects or counteracts something undesirable
the only corrective to bad behavior is good, firm discipline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corrective
Wes Moore, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit Paxton brought against the company sought compensation for economic losses, civil penalties and a court order compelling the company to take corrective measures to prevent future tragedies.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corrective
Adjective
Through regular engagement with OLA and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, state agencies are working to clarify expectations, improve oversight and implement lasting corrective actions.
—Wes Moore, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
The lawsuit Paxton brought against the company sought compensation for economic losses, civil penalties and a court order compelling the company to take corrective measures to prevent future tragedies.
—Lana Ferguson, Dallas Morning News, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living.
—Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
The 2025 College Rankings from Washington Monthly offer a corrective.
—Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for corrective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for corrective
Adjective
-
As part of the reformative aims of the convict system, many of these men were incarcerated at Fremantle Prison, trained, and put to work on infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, and public buildings.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Fifty-five years after Martin Luther King's death, African Americans continue to proudly honor his reformative legacy in Phoenix.—
The Arizona Republic,
The Arizona Republic,
14 Jan. 2024
Adjective
-
Doing that is not aggressive or punitive.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Drug policy reform that is grounded in scientific evidence would favor stigma-free counseling and treatment over punitive measures.—
Lauren Micalizzi,
STAT,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Because of this slight offset, stars will appear to rise four minutes earlier every 24 hours on successive nights.—
Vahe Peroomian,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
-
In some cases, benefit offsets (where the VA withholds part of your monthly benefit to repay a debt) can be adjusted to reduce the financial strain.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the top of the pyramid stood a chief executive officer who marketed the company’s work as the antidote to the opioid epidemic.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Haulcy might be the perfect antidote to that problem.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Having a head coach and GM aligned in the fashion that Charles Lee and Jeff Peterson are has also really been beneficial.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Cloves contain antioxidants and other beneficial compounds, but there isn't that much research on clove water, specifically.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Minnesota correctional officials say many people accused of crimes were released directly to ICE by state or county prisons and jails.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Investigators appeared to have learned of the relationship after correctional officer Donald Robinson’s phone was found in August 2025 in the inmate’s cell.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On the other side of the living area was my and my husband’s room, with a king bed draped in netting, an en-suite bathroom with two stone sinks, live-edge wood counters, and a rain shower with a large window to outside, and a larger terrace with a hammock.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Casting Emraan Hashmi in the lead was a deliberate act of counter-programming.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Harrison wrote that her office reserves the right to use other remedies at its disposal.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
But a remedy is still under development for the recall impacting the Escapes, Corsairs, Aviators and Explorers, this week's recall announcement noted.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Corrective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corrective. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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