therapeutic
gb/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk/ us/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk/
B2
English
~ 6800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
relating to medical treatment
used to treat sickness or mental health problems
Usage pattern:
a therapeutic [drug/treatment/procedure/service]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *therapeutic* as a noun in this sense, saying things like *I went to a therapeutic* instead of *I went to therapy* or *I received therapeutic treatment*. Remember: *therapeutic* here is an adjective, usually before a noun (therapeutic treatment, therapeutic drug).
Synonyms
medicinal (Emphasizes that something has the qualities or function of medicine, often used especially for drugs or herbs.)
Antonyms
harmful (Describes something that damages health instead of treating or improving it.)
Collocations
therapeutic drug
|therapeutic treatment
|therapeutic procedure
|therapeutic use
|therapeutic services
|therapeutic purposes
Themes
health
|medicine
|science
Examples
- She started a therapeutic exercise program designed to rebuild strength in her injured knee.
- The company is developing a new therapeutic drug for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
- Patients receive therapeutic radiation to shrink the tumor before surgery.
- The clinic offers a range of therapeutic services, including physical and occupational therapy.
- Doctors must carefully monitor blood levels to keep the medicine within a safe therapeutic range.
Learner examples
- The hospital gave him a therapeutic treatment after the accident.
- This cream has a therapeutic effect on dry skin.
- She needs therapeutic care to help her back heal.
- They are testing a new therapeutic drug for cancer.
- The nurse explained why this exercise is therapeutic for his leg.
adjective
C1
property
2
emotionally or mentally healing
making you feel better or more relaxed in your mind or body
Usage pattern:
[activity] is therapeutic for [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *therapeutic* can only be used for official medical treatment. In modern English it is very common to say things like *I find swimming really therapeutic* for everyday activities that simply make you feel calmer or happier.
Synonyms
healing (Often used about emotional recovery or comfort, not just medical treatment.)
Antonyms
stressful (Describes situations or activities that increase tension and anxiety instead of reducing them.)
Collocations
find something therapeutic
|deeply therapeutic
|highly therapeutic
|emotionally therapeutic
|therapeutic activity
|therapeutic to [someone]
Themes
emotions
|health
|daily life
Examples
- She finds gardening deeply therapeutic after a long week at work.
- Talking about his feelings was surprisingly therapeutic for him.
- For many people, painting or drawing is a therapeutic way to process difficult experiences.
- He described running by the ocean at sunrise as almost therapeutic.
- Spending time in nature can be very therapeutic when you feel overwhelmed.
Learner examples
- Listening to music is therapeutic for me.
- She thinks yoga is very therapeutic.
- It was therapeutic for him to write about his problems.
- Taking a long walk alone can be therapeutic.
- Cleaning the house slowly was strangely therapeutic for her.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
3
a drug or treatment for disease
a drug or medical treatment used to help a disease or health problem
Usage pattern:
a therapeutic for [a disease/condition]
Synonyms
treatment (More general and common; *therapeutic* in this noun sense is typically used in medical and scientific writing.)
Antonyms
toxin (A toxin harms the body, while a therapeutic is meant to help or heal it.)
Collocations
a new therapeutic
|an effective therapeutic
|a promising therapeutic
|novel therapeutics
|therapeutic for cancer
|therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease
Themes
medicine
|science
|health
Examples
- The researchers hope the new therapeutic will slow the progression of the disease.
- This antibody-based therapeutic targets specific cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
- Several promising therapeutics are now entering clinical trials for rare genetic disorders.
Learner examples
- The company is working on a new therapeutic for diabetes.
- This therapeutic may help patients live longer.
- Scientists tested the therapeutic in animals first.
- The doctor said there is no approved therapeutic for this virus yet.
- They are searching for better therapeutics for this illness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
therapeutic
IPA
GB/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk/
US/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk/
Syllables & stress
thera - peut - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: therapeutic
Word family
Related words
Expressions
find something therapeutic
1/fˈaɪnd sˈʌmθɪŋ θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk/
fixed phrase
experience an activity as healing
to feel that an activity helps you relax or feel better emotionally
Examples
- I find cooking really therapeutic after a stressful day.
- Many people find it therapeutic to keep a journal of their thoughts.
therapeutic alliance
8/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk əlˈaɪəns/
fixed phrase
technical
working partnership in therapy
the cooperation and shared goals between a therapist and a client that help therapy work well
Examples
- Research shows that a strong therapeutic alliance predicts better outcomes in psychotherapy.
- They spent the first few sessions building a therapeutic alliance before tackling difficult topics.
therapeutic benefit
4/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk bˈɛnəfɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
health benefit from treatment
the health or emotional improvement that comes from a treatment or helpful activity
Examples
- Patients reported significant therapeutic benefit from the group sessions.
- The risk of side effects may be greater than the potential therapeutic benefit.
therapeutic community
12/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk kəmjˈunɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
residential group used as treatment
a place where people with mental health or addiction problems live together and support each other as part of treatment
Examples
- He spent a year living in a therapeutic community for people recovering from addiction.
- The therapeutic community model encourages residents to take responsibility for each other.
therapeutic dose
3/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk dˈoʊs/
fixed phrase
technical
effective and safe drug amount
the right amount of medicine that helps the patient without being too strong or dangerous
Examples
- It can be difficult to find a therapeutic dose for some antidepressants.
- The child’s weight was used to calculate the correct therapeutic dose.
therapeutic effect
2/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk ɪfˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
technical
helpful result of treatment
the good change in the body or mind that a drug or treatment is supposed to cause
Examples
- The therapeutic effect of the medication may take several weeks to appear.
- Low doses did not produce any clear therapeutic effect in the study.
therapeutic intervention
7/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk ˌɪntɚvˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
clinical action to treat a patient
a specific action or method that doctors, nurses, or therapists use to try to help a patient get better
Examples
- Early therapeutic intervention can improve long-term outcomes for children with developmental delays.
- The team discussed possible therapeutic interventions before creating a care plan.
therapeutic massage
5/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk məsˈɑʒ/
fixed phrase
massage for healing or pain relief
a type of massage that is done to help with pain, injury, or stress, not just for pleasure
Examples
- He booked a therapeutic massage to ease his lower back pain.
- Many athletes use therapeutic massage as part of their recovery routine.
therapeutic relationship
6/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
professional bond between therapist and client
the special, trusting relationship between a therapist and a client that helps the client change or heal
Examples
- Trust is essential for building a strong therapeutic relationship.
- The therapist worked hard to repair the therapeutic relationship after the misunderstanding.
therapeutic setting
10/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk sˈɛtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
environment where therapy happens
the place and environment where treatment or therapy is given, such as a clinic, hospital, or counseling room
Examples
- Creating a safe therapeutic setting is crucial when working with trauma survivors.
- The group moved from a hospital ward to a more relaxed therapeutic setting.
therapeutic use
11/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk jˈus/
fixed phrase
technical
use for medical treatment
using a drug, plant, or method as a treatment for a health problem
Examples
- The drug is approved for therapeutic use in adults only.
- These herbs have a long history of therapeutic use in traditional medicine.
therapeutic window
9/θˌɛɹəpjˈutɪk wˈɪndoʊ/
fixed phrase
technical
safe and effective dose range
the range of drug amounts where the medicine helps the patient but does not cause serious harm
Examples
- This medication has a narrow therapeutic window, so blood levels must be monitored closely.
- Because of its small therapeutic window, dosing errors can be dangerous.