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Proscriptive vs Prescriptive - What's the difference?

proscriptive | prescriptive |

Prescriptive is a antonym of proscriptive.



As adjectives the difference between proscriptive and prescriptive

is that proscriptive is proscribing or prohibiting, for example as according to a norm or standard while prescriptive is of or pertaining to prescribing or enjoining, especially an action or behavior based on a norm or standard.

proscriptive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • proscribing or prohibiting, for example as according to a norm or standard
  • Antonyms

    * prescriptive

    prescriptive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to prescribing or enjoining, especially an action or behavior based on a norm or standard.
  • *
  • For one thing, spoken language tends to be less subjected to prescriptive
    pressures than written language, and hence is a less artificial medium of com-
    munication (written language is often a kind of 'censored' version of spoken
    language). [...]

    Synonyms

    * normative

    Antonyms

    * descriptive (especially of grammar and usage) * proscriptive

    Derived terms

    * prescriptiveness