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
The goal of this article isn’t to be prescriptive and break down exactly how to plan an inclusive holiday.
—
Steve Sonnenberg, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
For instance, Verizon is already deploying a full spectrum of AI, including predictive and prescriptive AI, machine learning, deep learning algorithms, and generative AI.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2025
Between the lines: The SEC hasn't shared a lot of prescriptive guidance on what cyber incident disclosures should look like — leaving room for interpretation.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
The time is right for PBM reform, but the American people might be better served if Congress goes back to the drawing board and takes a different approach, one that is less bureaucratically prescriptive but enables change.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prescriptive 
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Steve Sonnenberg, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
For instance, Verizon is already deploying a full spectrum of AI, including predictive and prescriptive AI, machine learning, deep learning algorithms, and generative AI.
—New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2025
Between the lines: The SEC hasn't shared a lot of prescriptive guidance on what cyber incident disclosures should look like — leaving room for interpretation.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
The time is right for PBM reform, but the American people might be better served if Congress goes back to the drawing board and takes a different approach, one that is less bureaucratically prescriptive but enables change.
—Rita Numerof, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for prescriptive
Articles Related to prescriptive
Dictionary Entries Near prescriptive
Cite this Entry
“Prescriptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prescriptive. Accessed 22 Jan. 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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