A prescriptive approach to something involves telling people what they should do, rather than simply giving suggestions or describing what is done.
[formal]
...prescriptive attitudes to language on the part of teachers.
The psychologists insist, however, that they are not being prescriptive.
Synonyms: dictatorial, rigid, authoritarian, legislating More Synonyms of prescriptive
prescriptive in British English
(prɪˈskrɪptɪv)
adjective
1.
making or giving directions, rules, or injunctions
2.
sanctioned by long-standing usage or custom
3.
derived from or based upon legal prescription
a prescriptive title
Derived forms
prescriptively (preˈscriptively)
adverb
prescriptiveness (preˈscriptiveness)
noun
prescriptive in American English
(priˈskrɪptɪv; prɪˈskrɪptɪv)
adjective
1.
that prescribes
2.
based on legal prescription
3.
prescribed by custom or long use
Derived forms
prescriptively (preˈscriptively)
adverb
Word origin
LL praescriptivus
Examples of 'prescriptive' in a sentence
prescriptive
In the past there has been a tendency for government programmes to be highly prescriptive or bureaucratic.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Do you think it was overly prescriptive?
Goshgarian, Gary Exploring language (6th edn) (1995)
This is intended to be less prescriptive than present standards.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But he sees his task as descriptive more than prescriptive.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Of these, the most important are prescriptive rights.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
While this fact may be more descriptive than prescriptive, it is still a fact worth considering.
Christianity Today (2000)
Efforts to provide a substantive definition of crime have suffered and continue to suffer from inconsistencies between descriptive and prescriptive points of view.
de Haan, Willem The Politics of Redress - crime, punishment and penal abolition (1989)
This is despite the fact that the idea of the grief process has little scientific backing and could be called prescriptive rather than descriptive.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We need a curriculum that is less prescriptive about how to teach, and clearer about what should be examined.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was not possible to be prescriptive about the nature of the benefits which a school had to provide to the poor nor the extent of them.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But an overly prescriptive World Cup runs against the grain.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Nor, given the prescriptive nature of franchise specifications, did it make unrealistic promises.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
And it will certainly undermine the Government's case should it seek a more prescriptive approach in future.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The 2002 Act was highly prescriptive.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
(adjective)
Definition
laying down rules
prescriptive attitudes to language on the part of teachers
Synonyms
dictatorial
a dictatorial management style
rigid
authoritarian
There was a coup to restore authoritarian rule.
legislating
dogmatic
His dogmatic style deflects opposition.
didactic
In totalitarian societies, art exists solely for didactic purposes.
preceptive
Additional synonyms
in the sense of authoritarian
Definition
insisting on strict obedience to authority
There was a coup to restore authoritarian rule.
Synonyms
strict,
severe,
absolute,
harsh,
rigid,
autocratic,
dictatorial,
dogmatic,
imperious,
domineering,
unyielding,
tyrannical,
disciplinarian,
despotic,
doctrinaire
in the sense of didactic
Definition
intended to teach or instruct people
In totalitarian societies, art exists solely for didactic purposes.
Synonyms
instructive,
educational,
enlightening,
moral,
edifying,
homiletic,
preceptive
in the sense of dogmatic
Definition
habitually stating one's opinions in a forceful or arrogant manner