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

Other Word Forms

• therapeutically adverb
• nontherapeutic adjective
• nontherapeutical adjective
• nontherapeutically adverb
• untherapeutic adjective
• untherapeutical adjective
• untherapeutically 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

A downturn like 2007-09 when U.S. stocks fell by more than half can be both awful and therapeutic.

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I’m definitely a believer that there are therapeutic applications for these drugs today.

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The findings also highlight potential therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing harmful clotting and inflammation.

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The therapeutic work is to help patients regain psychological distance so they can separate internal fears from the political figure onto whom they have projected them.

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Their talk, titled "The Texas Two-Step," will highlight their combined experience producing, shipping, and applying At-211 for therapeutic use.

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Related Words

• beneficial 
• curative 
• remedial 
• salutary