therapeutic

adjective

ther·​a·​peu·​tic ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik How to pronounce therapeutic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods : curative, medicinal
therapeutic diets
They confirmed the therapeutic effect of supplemental light in treating winter depression with phototherapy.Richard Wurtman and Judith Wurtman
A just-right amount is the therapeutic dose, just enough to provide the intended effect without problems.Paul G. Donohue
2
: having a beneficial effect on the body or mind
Warm lotion manicures … are a luxurious, therapeutic treat …Elle
… they painted, hoed, swept, and planted when the mood for therapeutic work struck them, and lolled on the beach when they felt like it.David Guterson
3
: producing a useful or favorable result or effect
In classical economics, before the illusion of fine-tuning became widespread, recessions were regarded as therapeutic.Geoffrey Smith and Jane Sasseen
therapeutic noun
therapeutically adverb

Examples of therapeutic in a Sentence

the therapeutic benefits of yoga Gardening can be very therapeutic. the therapeutic effects of radiation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But for her community, comedy is cathartic and therapeutic. Dakin Andone, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025 Workers who take care of children at Connecticut’s therapeutic autism centers aren’t required to undergo background checks that include a review of child abuse records, which is one of several gaps in oversight of these centers cited in a new report from the state’s Office of the Child Advocate. Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2025 An eighty-per-cent chance of survival from a potentially lethal injury is, to be honest, pretty good odds—possibly better than the chances that either of these blood substitutes will make it into therapeutic use. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 3 Feb. 2025 The rehab area includes space for patients to pursue therapeutic exercise in order to improve functional capacity and reduce cardiovascular risk, according to Cardiopulmonary Rehab Manager Anne Gavic-Ott. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for therapeutic 

Word History

Etymology

Greek therapeutikos, from therapeuein to attend, treat, from theraps attendant

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of therapeutic was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near therapeutic

Cite this Entry

“Therapeutic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therapeutic. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

therapeutic

adjective
ther·​a·​peu·​tic ˌther-ə-ˈpyüt-ik How to pronounce therapeutic (audio)
: of or relating to the treatment of diseases or disorders by using healing agents or methods
therapeutic studies
also : curative, medicinal
therapeutic diets

Medical Definition

therapeutic

adjective
ther·​a·​peu·​tic -ˈpyüt-ik How to pronounce therapeutic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or used in the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods : curative, medicinal
… the dose was increased to 8 mg per day, which is the higher end of the therapeutic dosage range.Hasan B. Alam et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Conscious sedation is used increasingly in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, ranging from gastrointestinal endoscopy to minor surgery in patients who are relaxed, but responsive.The Journal of the American Medical Association
They confirmed the therapeutic effect of supplemental light in treating winter depression with phototherapy.Richard Wurtman and Judith Wurtman, Scientific American
2
: having a beneficial effect on the body or mind
California psychotherapist Annette Goodheart believes not only that laughter can be therapeutic but also that therapy needs to include laughter.Jeff Wagenheim, New Age Journal
therapeutically adverb
a therapeutically effective regimen
therapeutically equivalent drugs

More from Merriam-Webster on therapeutic

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