1
as in counters
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
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2
as in antidotes
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 correctives
These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.
—
Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
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
These are not radical demands, but overdue correctives necessary for restoring public trust in higher education.
—Ilya Shapiro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
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
These are not radical demands, but overdue correctives necessary for restoring public trust in higher education.
—Ilya Shapiro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for correctives
Noun
-
Fares are available at Southwest’s ticket counters.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
-
Use them to clean toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, counters, and floors.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Burkut and the rest have local antidotes for the problem.—
Magdalena Stawkowski,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Keep shopping for cold-hand antidotes from Amazon, below.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Through an algebraic analysis of the robots’ parameters, such as the lengths of their links and the offsets of their joints, the team mapped out exactly where the singularities lie within their joint space.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
26 Apr. 2026
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In these window boxes, the bluish hue of dichondra 'Silver Falls' offsets pink begonias and Madagascar periwinkle.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Natural remedies can safely and effectively reduce grub populations over time.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
1 May 2026
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Pipeline operators may also employ more incremental remedies, such as moving oil faster through the pipelines by injecting drag-reducing agents or increasing the number of pump stations.—
Jonathan Lemire,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Early filers increased debt payments by about 20%, according to the Bank of America Institute, using the funds to pay off bills, car loans, credit card balances, and student loans.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
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Getty Images/iStockphoto Debt balances have been climbing rapidly over the last year, and so have the costs of carrying them.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The second-busiest port in the world, Singapore has the potential to play a significant role in shaping practical, scalable solutions for improving the sustainability of global maritime trade.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
If your mom’s kitchen or apartment is tight on space, lean into vertical solutions.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Other items from the ship, including the ballasts that served as counterweights for the human cargo, are remaining on display and will be returned to South Africa in two years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Correctives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/correctives. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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