therapeutic

[ ther-uh-pyoo-tik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the treating or curing of disease; curative.

noun

1. a therapeutic substance.

therapeutic

/ ˌθɛrəˈpjuːtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to the treatment of disease; curative
2. serving or performed to maintain health

   therapeutic abortion

Derived Forms

• ˌtheraˈpeutically, adverb

Other Words From

• thera·peuti·cal·ly adverb
• nonther·a·peutic adjective
• nonther·a·peuti·cal adjective
• nonther·a·peuti·cal·ly adverb
• unther·a·peutic adjective
• unther·a·peuti·cal adjective
• unther·a·peuti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of therapeutic¹

1535–45; < New Latin therapeuticus < Greek therapeutikós, equivalent to therapeú ( ein ) to attend, treat medically (akin to therápōn attendant) + -tikos -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of therapeutic¹

C17: from New Latin therapeuticus, from Greek therapeutikos, from therapeuein to minister to, from theraps an attendant

Example Sentences

The bill is set to largely mirror proposals included in the draft Tory law, including raising the threshold to detain people, and requiring that there is a realistic prospect that suggested treatment would have a therapeutic benefit.

From BBC

In the 2023 UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey, 61% of voters said they support the therapeutic use of psychedelics under regulation.

From Salon

With emerging practices like narrative medicine and participatory action research, clinical health care spaces, therapeutic environments, and nonprofit workplaces have begun to embrace radical listening as a discipline.

From Salon

The sounds of laser guns from the nearby arcade join the predictable arc of the Ferris wheel in something that feels between nostalgic and therapeutic.

From Los Angeles Times

"I help people gradually reduce their belongings at their own pace, focusing on practical and therapeutic techniques to manage their space," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• beneficial
• curative
• remedial
• salutary