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
Until the passage of a constitutional amendment in November 2024 by a margin of 58% to 42%, those same six conditions were part of a state constitution that was unusually prescriptive on rules for absentee voting.
—
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Whoop’s sleep data tends to be more prescriptive than descriptive.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
To stop a race to the bottom in the scope of benefits, the ACA imposes highly prescriptive benefit mandates and network-adequacy requirements.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Being incredibly prescriptive about child-rearing in that way can arguably be harmful because children are their own people, and part of growing up is making mistakes.
—CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
Whoop’s sleep data tends to be more prescriptive than descriptive.
—Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
To stop a race to the bottom in the scope of benefits, the ACA imposes highly prescriptive benefit mandates and network-adequacy requirements.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Being incredibly prescriptive about child-rearing in that way can arguably be harmful because children are their own people, and part of growing up is making mistakes.
—CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescriptive
Adjective
-
Near the entrance, visit the spa’s meditation space and library in two traditional Vietnamese houses, while Tai Chi, sound healing, and yoga further round out the extensive wellness retreat setting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
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In the mid-'60s, Rollins toured heavily in Europe, switching back and forth between more traditional and avant-garde approaches.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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And, as is customary for a new entrant to the exchange, the Enhanced team, including D’Souza, German bitcoin exec Maximilian Martin, who replaced him as Enhanced’s CEO last year, and Kerley were allowed to ring the NYSE’s closing bell on May 8.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
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La Familia was particularly upset that Messi and the majority of his teammates had not saluted them after games, as is customary in soccer culture.—
Michelle Kaufman
May 22,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Unlike conventional ships, LASV75 eliminates crew accommodation and associated support systems, freeing space for mission payloads and increasing endurance.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
25 May 2026
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Sans Savon aims to provide a healthier alternative to conventional soaps, which often irritate skin.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescriptive. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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