therapeutic

adjective

ther·​a·​peu·​tic ˌther-ə-ˈpyü-tik How to pronounce therapeutic (audio)
1
: of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods : curative, medicinal
therapeutic diets
They confirmed the therapeutic effect of supplemental light in treating winter depression with phototherapy.Richard Wurtman and Judith Wurtman
A just-right amount is the therapeutic dose, just enough to provide the intended effect without problems.Paul G. Donohue
2
: having a beneficial effect on the body or mind
Warm lotion manicures … are a luxurious, therapeutic treat …Elle
… they painted, hoed, swept, and planted when the mood for therapeutic work struck them, and lolled on the beach when they felt like it.David Guterson
3
: producing a useful or favorable result or effect
In classical economics, before the illusion of fine-tuning became widespread, recessions were regarded as therapeutic.Geoffrey Smith and Jane Sasseen
therapeutic noun
therapeutically adverb

Examples of therapeutic in a Sentence

the therapeutic benefits of yoga Gardening can be very therapeutic. the therapeutic effects of radiation
Recent Examples on the Web Talk to a healthcare provider before using the herb for a therapeutic purpose. Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 24 Mar. 2024 The album’s eclectic style, which blends comedy, storytelling, and therapeutic elements, resists confinement. Ebony Flake, Essence, 18 Mar. 2024 Yet the Canadian, chasing his second win on the PGA Tour, looked to have cooled off by the evening, thanks in no small part to some therapeutic cookie decorating with his young daughter Maddox. Jack Bantock, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 The assault prompted Santa Monica Police Chief Ramon Batista to deploy its homeless liaison team, a group of police officers and mental health clinicians who engage the unhoused, as well as the therapeutic transport team, which responds to nonemergency calls in the city. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Despite progress, seeking therapeutic help can be costly, stigmatizing and inaccessible. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Fluker's vision, as detailed in his latest book, proposes a comprehensive strategy for reparations that grant recipients access to a wide range of therapeutic treatments, alternative therapies, and holistic health practices. Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Ritualistic and therapeutic uses of tobacco—along with cacao, flowers and other substances—were widely documented in early colonial accounts and continue to the present day, per the study. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 Whether you’re supposed to think about outcomes is a key differentiating factor in therapeutic approaches. Lauren Oyler, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'therapeutic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Greek therapeutikos, from therapeuein to attend, treat, from theraps attendant

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of therapeutic was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near therapeutic

Cite this Entry

“Therapeutic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/therapeutic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

therapeutic

adjective
ther·​a·​peu·​tic ˌther-ə-ˈpyüt-ik How to pronounce therapeutic (audio)
: of or relating to the treatment of diseases or disorders by using healing agents or methods
therapeutic studies
also : curative, medicinal
therapeutic diets

Medical Definition

therapeutic

adjective
ther·​a·​peu·​tic -ˈpyüt-ik How to pronounce therapeutic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or used in the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods : curative, medicinal
… the dose was increased to 8 mg per day, which is the higher end of the therapeutic dosage range.Hasan B. Alam et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Conscious sedation is used increasingly in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, ranging from gastrointestinal endoscopy to minor surgery in patients who are relaxed, but responsive.The Journal of the American Medical Association
They confirmed the therapeutic effect of supplemental light in treating winter depression with phototherapy.Richard Wurtman and Judith Wurtman, Scientific American
2
: having a beneficial effect on the body or mind
California psychotherapist Annette Goodheart believes not only that laughter can be therapeutic but also that therapy needs to include laughter.Jeff Wagenheim, New Age Journal
therapeutically adverb
a therapeutically effective regimen
therapeutically equivalent drugs

More from Merriam-Webster on therapeutic

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