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
Although my skincare routine is written in stone, featuring a blend of prescriptive creams, sunscreen, and gentle cleansers, their travel-friendly mist is one of the only skincare products in my bag.
—
India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Jan. 2025
These statutes are highly prescriptive and set targets and deadlines that effectively dictate much of the EPA’s agenda.
—Stan Meiburg, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for prescriptive 
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India Espy-Jones, Essence, 21 Jan. 2025
These statutes are highly prescriptive and set targets and deadlines that effectively dictate much of the EPA’s agenda.
—Stan Meiburg, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025
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
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 5 Feb. 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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