as in traditional
based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation
even in this age of e-mail the prescriptive response to a wedding gift is a handwritten thank-you note
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Recent Examples of prescriptive
Today, geopolitical pressures and a more prescriptive regulatory environment—especially surrounding AI—have only entrenched the decision.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
The designer's favorite art pieces feel collected, considered, and personal rather than prescriptive.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The postpartum rebound, however, was much less prescriptive and more on their own terms.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
At its core, Carrier frames the museum’s responsibility as preservational rather than prescriptive.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Charlie Campbell, Time, 24 Feb. 2026
The designer's favorite art pieces feel collected, considered, and personal rather than prescriptive.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026
The postpartum rebound, however, was much less prescriptive and more on their own terms.
—Kayla Blanton, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
At its core, Carrier frames the museum’s responsibility as preservational rather than prescriptive.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescriptive
Adjective
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Despite the recent noise surrounding the liquidity mismatch between retail investors and semi-liquid vehicles, most private credit capital remains in traditional structures, backed largely by institutional investors with long-term investment horizons.—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
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The layout of the common areas is reminiscent of traditional ancient Roman housing (there are a lot of curves), albeit with bright walls plastered with contemporary artwork by local and international artists.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Q3 2026.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
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Nehls currently serves as vice president and will take on the customary one-year term as president.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In these environments, humanoid robots are expected to perform repetitive or physically demanding tasks that are difficult to automate using conventional industrial robots.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
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Unlike conventional computers, which store information as 0s and 1s, quantum computers use qubits, fundamental units of information that can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling them to perform calculations that would take conventional computers millions of years to complete.—
Etiido Uko
March 23,
New Atlas,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescriptive. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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