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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of prescriptive
Having cumbersome, highly prescriptive zoning rules that say that housing must go here and manufacturing there and retail there doesn’t make for a better city.
—
Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
Overly prescriptive solutions to legitimate problems often lead to unintended consequences that require yet more responses by policymakers.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Public decisions were dictated in advance by prescriptive rules, or had to be proved in public processes to be objectively correct.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
With 117 rooms in the heart of the city, the property treats wellness less as an add-on and more as an extension of everyday life, allowing guests to engage deeply without feeling funneled through a prescriptive program.
—Amy Francombe, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
Overly prescriptive solutions to legitimate problems often lead to unintended consequences that require yet more responses by policymakers.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Public decisions were dictated in advance by prescriptive rules, or had to be proved in public processes to be objectively correct.
—Philip K. Howard, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
With 117 rooms in the heart of the city, the property treats wellness less as an add-on and more as an extension of everyday life, allowing guests to engage deeply without feeling funneled through a prescriptive program.
—Amy Francombe, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescriptive
Adjective
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While a tweed suit and ruffle blouse can feel a little stuffy and traditional, these eye-catching, glittering gold necklaces add a welcome touch of shine to give this look a fresh feel.—
Abby Morgan Lebet,
Glamour,
3 Feb. 2026
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The Rose Bowl will remain a College Football Playoff quarterfinal for the next two seasons — and likely the four after that — holding down its traditional spot as the afternoon anchor of the New Year’s Day lineup.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The gear shift came on the hour mark, with Cole Palmer and Estevao replacing Hato and Liam Delap and Chelsea shifting to their customary shape.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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As is customary when any White House official faces heat, discussion of potential replacements has been rampant.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Challenge conventional hustle culture, true entrepreneurial success comes from building businesses around natural strengths, instincts, and flow states.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The project also explored alternative energy storage systems, including supercritical CO2 turbines and thermal battery solutions, which could support power balancing beyond conventional electrical batteries.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescriptive. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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