correlative

adjective

kə-ˈre-lə-tiv How to pronounce correlative (audio)
Definition of correlativenext
as in complementary
related to each other in such a way that one completes the other the correlative contributions that both teacher and student make to the learning process

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of correlative While age can have a correlative relationship with developing severe illness, Chandran says there are many examples of even young and healthy people getting very ill. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 4 May 2026 While there is some correlative evidence for this claim, such as the case of Northwestern University, no definitive link has been found. — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 3 Jan. 2026 There’s also the sort of correlative idea that modern mainframes can be useful in hosting LLMs and related systems. — John Werner, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Yet, other correlative studies in Washington, California and Canada have suggested that hunting may make the problem worse. — Rebecca Niemiec, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for correlative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for correlative
  1. complementary
  2. supplementary
  3. reciprocal
  4. mutual
Adjective
  • Silver Mirror recommends three Volmira visits, one a month, followed by three months of complementary facials, then repeating the cycle.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Combining several complementary signals could deliver greater benefits.
    — Mike McRae October 09, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of complementary
Adjective
  • The space is warm and lo-fi—Polaroids of friends and a handwritten lineup of the day’s specials (which can be added at a supplementary cost) are stuck to a noticeboard—but the food is sharp and assured.
    — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Since 1973, however, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service which consists of three weeks of basic training.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of supplementary
Adjective
  • Ideally, a reciprocal halt in long-range air and missile attacks could then be replicated across other sectors—maritime, commercial, and transportation—thus forming the basis of a broader aerial cease-fire.
    — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Houthis now claim the right to impose reciprocal restrictions on Saudi Arabia, particularly by targeting its ports and oil-exporting infrastructure.
    — Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of reciprocal
Adjective
  • For my body has betrayed that my personal Room 101 must be the mid-exposure realization of having miscalculated a mutual understanding.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Despite their stunning ensembles, their most important accessory was their obvious connection, shown through affectionate hugs, smiles, knowing glances, and mutual support.
    — Alessia Amorosini, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mutual

Browse Nearby Words

correlation
correlative
correspond
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Correlative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/correlative. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All