Synonyms of additive

additive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-də-tiv 

as in cumulative

produced by a series of additions of identical or similar things

certain drugs have additive effects when taken in conjunction with each other that one doesn't see when any one is used alone

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cumulative
• accumulative
• incremental
• accretive
• gradual
• conglomerative
• stepwise
• step-by-step
• progressive
• aggregated
• built-up
• accruable
• compiled
• increscent
• accrued
• amassed
• conglomerated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• regressive
• decremental
• degressive
• decrescent

additive

2 of 2

noun

as in subsidiary

Related Words

• subsidiary
• accompaniment
• complement
• supplement
• option
• adjunct
• appendage
• adapter
• accessory
• appliance
• add-on
• attachment
• accoutrement

Dissimilar Words

• essential
• requirement
• necessity
• requisite

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of additive

Adjective

Started to see a few more additive things with body language or going out on his own. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Abada said the ingredients appear to work through different mechanisms, so their effects are likely additive rather than synergistic. — Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026

Noun

Multi-color printing was added at the start of this year after a breakthrough in technology, and Nike brought additive printing through its own Project Nectar tech on the Air Max 95000 introduced last fall. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

The friction has been finding options that feel consistent with a low-additive lifestyle. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026