as in to specify
to give the rules about (something) clearly and exactly
in chess, you can move the various pieces only in certain prescribed ways
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prescribe
But if the immigrant is arrested for a separate criminal offense, the 72-hour clock may not start until the other offense is charged or dropped — for all arrestees, state law prescribes a two-day time limit for that — or bail is granted and paid.
—
Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
That doctor prescribed an anti-depressant to Ellis.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
The former are generally prescribed for daily long-term use in folks who’ve had a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and the latter, for people who’ve had a heart attack or stroke.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 July 2025
Still, doctors would prescribe it in pregnancies like mine.
—Anna Russell, New Yorker, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prescribe
Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025
That doctor prescribed an anti-depressant to Ellis.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2025
The former are generally prescribed for daily long-term use in folks who’ve had a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, and the latter, for people who’ve had a heart attack or stroke.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 July 2025
Still, doctors would prescribe it in pregnancies like mine.
—Anna Russell, New Yorker, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prescribe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescribe
Verb
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These policies should address potential misuse, specify acceptable use cases and delineate accountability, especially given the varied regulatory landscapes across regions.—
Rob Green,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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The airline will begin daily service from Seattle to London, though the carrier did not specify a date, and tickets are not yet on sale.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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And over time a cadre of chefs have learned to use these riches in a way that distinctly defines the city’s cuisine.—
Pervaiz Shallwani,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Aug. 2025
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In Italy, industry associations and trade unions are pressuring the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy to define a countrywide mandatory protocol and policy to ensure the luxury sector complies with fair work standards.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
11 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prescribe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescribe. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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