prescriptive
adjective
pre·scrip·tive
pri-ˈskrip-tiv 
1
: serving to prescribe
prescriptive rules of usage
2
: acquired by, founded on, or determined by prescription or by long-standing custom
prescriptively
adverb
Examples of prescriptive in a Sentence
Critics claim the new rules are too prescriptive.
even in this age of e-mail the prescriptive response to a wedding gift is a handwritten thank-you note
Recent Examples on the Web
Virgin’s programming and dining are geared toward wellbeing without being prescriptive.
—
Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Similar assignments performed in the past may merely serve as points of reference and fail to provide prescriptive templates regarding task planning and execution.
—Mark Settle, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
This satisfies the superego and ensures America’s influence remains aspirational, not prescriptive.
—Sean P. Brooks, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
This design offers most of the cushioning and propulsive benefits of a super shoe, without the instability or the prescriptive stride control.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
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Josh Rivera, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025
Similar assignments performed in the past may merely serve as points of reference and fail to provide prescriptive templates regarding task planning and execution.
—Mark Settle, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
This satisfies the superego and ensures America’s influence remains aspirational, not prescriptive.
—Sean P. Brooks, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2025
This design offers most of the cushioning and propulsive benefits of a super shoe, without the instability or the prescriptive stride control.
—Cory Smith, Outside Online, 19 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for prescriptive
Articles Related to prescriptive
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescriptive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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prescriptive
adjective
pre·scrip·tive
pri-ˈskrip-tiv
1
: serving to prescribe
prescriptive rules
2
: acquired by, founded on, or constituting prescription
a prescriptive right
a longer prescriptive period
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