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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of prescriptive
The book is by no means meant to be prescriptive, but rather serves as a guide for those looking for a starting point.
—
Rosana Lai, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2025
Without being prescriptive or adding layers of judgment—both are contrary to the holistic process—the overarching concept for more advanced adopters’ veers toward women-owned, BIPOC, and regenerative brands.
—Esther Adams Achara, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
In a recent interview, Manfred indicated that the ability to market the game by keeping starting pitchers – many of the game’s biggest stars – on the mound for extended periods – five or six innings —could not be done in a prescriptive way.
—Maury Brown, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Rules governing what grape varieties are used are not as prescriptive as in Champagne, so winemakers celebrate and experiment with their regional varieties.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prescriptive 
Rosana Lai, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2025
Without being prescriptive or adding layers of judgment—both are contrary to the holistic process—the overarching concept for more advanced adopters’ veers toward women-owned, BIPOC, and regenerative brands.
—Esther Adams Achara, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025
In a recent interview, Manfred indicated that the ability to market the game by keeping starting pitchers – many of the game’s biggest stars – on the mound for extended periods – five or six innings —could not be done in a prescriptive way.
—Maury Brown, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Rules governing what grape varieties are used are not as prescriptive as in Champagne, so winemakers celebrate and experiment with their regional varieties.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prescriptive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prescriptive
Adjective
-
Perhaps football reinforces traditional gender norms.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2025
-
The star ingredients are the calendula petals, a beloved medicinal herb in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, celebrated for their calming, skin-soothing properties.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Past rumbles have seen winners with more customary offerings awarded the coveted Broth Belt, but Red Panda’s body-laden spicy chicken katsu ramen seduced guests with its silkiness, including new fans who had never even heard of them before showing up at the competition.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
28 Jan. 2025
-
The customary basics of a wedding — the ceremony, a cake and something with which to toast the couple — are not expensive.—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Those guidelines include providing alt text on images so that people with visual impairments who use automatic readers can understand images, offering audio descriptions for people with hearing disabilities, and making all websites operable by keyboard for users who can’t use a conventional mouse.—
Kevin Collier,
NBC News,
23 Jan. 2025
-
His humorous, bone-dry documentary gets at more than most, first by being a meta-confessional about how his own efforts to make a conventional movie failed.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to prescriptive
Thesaurus Entries Near prescriptive
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prescriptive. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share