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
Other groups, such as the virtual Slow AF Run Club, suggest a less prescriptive approach: Choose a run interval that ends before your legs get tired.
—
The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
With surgery, blood thinners, and other prescriptive measures, Nixon recovered and lived another two decades but succumbed to a stroke in 1994.
—Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Lead with questions rather than prescriptive answers to foster critical thinking across teams.
—Vanina Marcote, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
In a clinical setting, bibliotherapy can be reactive or prescriptive.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
With surgery, blood thinners, and other prescriptive measures, Nixon recovered and lived another two decades but succumbed to a stroke in 1994.
—Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Lead with questions rather than prescriptive answers to foster critical thinking across teams.
—Vanina Marcote, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
In a clinical setting, bibliotherapy can be reactive or prescriptive.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescriptive
Adjective
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An additional 18 pot still whiskeys won Gold, demonstrating that Ireland’s most traditional whiskey style continues to elevate the standards for flavor, complexity, and craftsmanship.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
The left-handed bat seems to have a more traditional torpedo shape.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
15 July 2025
Adjective
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The court did not explain its decision in favor of Trump, as is customary in emergency appeals.—
Mark Sherman,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
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In a sport where sunglasses haven’t been customary on the pro tour, RIA Eyewear entered the space five years ago with a tennis-specific lens and frame, steadily building a bridge between the world of tennis and sunglasses.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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The 139-footer, known as the 42 Exuma, has a novel layout that defies conventional superyacht design and an elegant interior that bears the hallmarks of a master couturier.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
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Twice per day, on the way up and back down, Kosmos 2589 briefly passes near a large number of US government and commercial satellites in more conventional geosynchronous orbits but then quickly departs the vicinity.—
Robert Pearlman,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescriptive. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.
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