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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of corrective
Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 20 May 2026
Torn between toiling away at farmwork, his corrective swimming lessons, and learning music from a local organist — the elderly Michel (Alexandre Astier, Clichy’s former directing partner), who shows him more kindness than most — Christophe’s world gradually widens.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 May 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
Let’s dig into the reasons why mulch no longer does its job and how to know when to take corrective action to keep your garden soil moist.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 20 May 2026
Torn between toiling away at farmwork, his corrective swimming lessons, and learning music from a local organist — the elderly Michel (Alexandre Astier, Clichy’s former directing partner), who shows him more kindness than most — Christophe’s world gradually widens.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 19 May 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
-
The suit accuses the former clerk of violating Murdaugh’s right to a fair trial and seeks punitive and compensatory damages, as well as $600,000 of attorneys’ fees.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
-
To be sure, the administration pulled back from its most punitive rates, and the Supreme Court struck down its global levies.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
This can provide some offset to the security's overall tax inefficiencies.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream over the entire cake to seal in crumbs, using an offset spatula to smooth it evenly.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Notre Dame’s dominance has been highlighted by relentless fundamentals and limited errors, the perfect antidote to Syracuse’s free-flowing and occasionally careless approach.—
Tribune News Service,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
-
Wasn’t love supposed to be the antidote to a head full of poison, a heart full of doubt?—
Quinn Moreland,
Pitchfork,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Season One of Off Campus centers hockey captain Garret Graham (Belmont Cameli) and music major Hannah Wells (Ella Bright), who start a mutually beneficial fake-dating scheme that is quickly complicated by their growing feelings for each other.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
-
Ensuring that any change offered is clearly beneficial from the passenger's perspective.—
Juan Pablo Lafosse,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Those opposing him include Grow California, associated with billionaires in the tech and crypto sector, and Keep California Golden, a coalition representing Realtors, correctional peace officers and the building industry.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
An inmate who allegedly assaulted two correctional deputies while being moved between two cells at the Butte County Jail on Tuesday is facing additional charges for doing so, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
No exciting passing moves, no good combination play, no great counter-attacks.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
-
The modern kitchen has butcher-block counters and an arched wood dining nook, and the primary suite includes a three-sided fireplace and oxygenation to counter high altitude.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Figuring out the right concentrations of coffee grounds to keep mosquitoes away to use as a natural remedy in your garden may not be as straightforward.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
-
Natural remedies such as hydrating, resting in a dark, quiet room, or applying a cold compress may be all that is needed to alleviate mild headaches.—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Corrective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/corrective. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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