How to Use additive in a Sentence

additive

1 of 2 adjective
  • The additive was so toxic, even a splash on the skin could be lethal.
    — Michael J. Coren, Quartz, 16 June 2022
  • Using them as feed keeps the chickens fed with additive-free food.
    — Megan Taros, The Arizona Republic, 16 June 2021
  • In effect, the gains were additive, and doing both was best.
    — Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2026
  • Too often, when we are faced with a problem, our impulse is to be additive.
    — Ashley Stahl, Forbes, 20 May 2021
  • The seaweed additive also did not hurt the cattle’s growth or change the taste of beef.
    — Anchorage Daily News, 26 Apr. 2021
  • The takeaway is that these factors are additive.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026
  • The takeaway is that these factors are additive.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
  • Think additive subtle lines that combine to make more of a statement, with just the right amount of shine.
    — Daisy Melamed Sanders, ELLE, 13 July 2023
  • This powdered food additive, made from kelp, claims to help reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
    — Woman's Day, 15 Feb. 2023
  • Who can judge, Gummer asks, a parent who bakes their kid an additive-free cake from scratch?
    — Amelia Tait, Wired, 26 Nov. 2021
  • Chlorine, an additive in city water supplies, could kill the fish.
    — Author: Richard Read, Anchorage Daily News, 26 July 2021
  • The only additive is a little vegetable oil to keep the caramel from bubbling over.
    — New York Times, 26 Jan. 2021
  • From the sound of it, these kinds of features will be additive to what Sims players expect.
    — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 31 Jan. 2023
  • To make his home in the Rockies, Lovins came up with a number of additive ideas.
    — Leidy Klotz, Scientific American, 12 May 2022
  • In the early 1900s, it was sometimes used as a food additive, but much less so now.
    — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2022
  • In most cases the additive/modifier is nothing more than a type of stop-leak.
    — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Every tiny improvement in your life is additive.
    — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Use fragrance-free and additive-free detergents to prevent soap residue from building up on the fibers.
    — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In contrast to working with clay, an additive process, butter is sculpted by taking away.
    — Rachel Hutton, Star Tribune, 21 Aug. 2020
  • Netflix pact is additive to the studio’s full theatrical slate.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 14 Apr. 2022
  • All of the additive changes were also approved Tuesday.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
  • On the coal-closure side, the map is more stable because the category is an additive one.
    — Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The additive model is safer and easier to measure.
    — Tomer Guriel, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Not every non-Les and Lindy fixture is equally non-additive.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
  • And the concept of rolling out a feed additive to the world’s billion cows faces some logistical challenges.
    — Matt Simon, Wired, 1 Oct. 2021
  • The ingredients in an additive package differ in cost, but price is just one factor.
    — Paul Weissler, Popular Mechanics, 31 Aug. 2020
  • And the fact that Alton has Kristen is such an additive element in the show.
    — Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 16 June 2022
  • The additive goes into cow food and the company is also aiming to produce it in capsule form.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN, 24 Jan. 2023
  • For instance, the researchers have to track the animals’ weight to make sure the additive isn’t affecting growth.
    — Matt Simon, Wired, 1 Oct. 2021
  • Try filling the sink up all the way to the overflow with a bleach additive in the water, and that could flush away bacteria causing the smell.
    — Mark Philben, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Apr. 2022

additive

2 of 2 noun
  • These oils have additives that help slow oil leaks.
    — Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
  • And thanks to physics, no additives are required.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Dec. 2025
  • Try to avoid oat milks that have added sugar and other additives.
    — Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Try to find a product free of perfumes and additives that might harm plants.
    — Jon Vanzile, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
  • As with the other foods, skip additives like butter and salt and serve them plain.
    — Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2023
  • Add a de-icer to the water, but no other additives.
    — Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The worst have so many additives that the flavors of ginger and sesame are all but lost.
    — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026
  • These chemical additives can build up residue in the fibers over time.
    — Cori Sears, The Spruce, 8 June 2026
  • There are no additives, and at 94 proof just a touch of heat lingers on the finish.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 May 2026
  • Use additive to flip the MOQ math.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Are there additives that could be bad for my physical or mental health?
    — Julie Chapon, Fortune Europe, 5 Mar. 2024
  • Opt for whole cuts of meat or those that are less processed and contain fewer additives.
    — Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Oct. 2025
  • While the fat in pan spray won’t damage the nonstick coating, many of the additives used will.
    — Christa Glennie, wsj.com, 26 Dec. 2023
  • These tend to be less processed and have fewer additives than mixed meats such as ham, salami and bologna.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
  • For context, a simple baguette, which can be made with additives and baked from frozen, is around a euro.
    — Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
  • As a result, it can only really be used as an additive to salt.
    — Ciara Nugent, Time, 12 Dec. 2022
  • Top tier has more fuel cleaning additives.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2026
  • Miner said that without additives, the taste can be slightly chalky.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Miner said that without additives, the taste can be slightly chalky.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 4 Mar. 2026
  • This additive helps hold the pearls together.
    — Samantha Lauriello, Health, 6 Aug. 2025
  • When plastic is broken apart by heat, tons of chemical additives fly out as well.
    — WIRED, 31 July 2023
  • Paint and other additives of this sort may not be safe for compost piles or vegetable gardens.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2025
  • And consider the texture when stirring in additives like oats or chia seeds, as well.
    — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 19 Jan. 2026
  • All five of these additives have been banned from food use in the European Union.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2023
  • The nail polish is toxin-free, low odor and free of nail-damaging additives.
    — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Here are four common additives experts say to avoid—or at least watch for—when choosing a protein bar.
    — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, Health, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Chocolate and strawberry cow milk packed with sugars and additives get a pass.
    — Elianna Friedman, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Opt for those with lower sugar, more protein and fiber, and fewer additives.
    — Merve Ceylan, Health, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Choosing fresh, whole foods that are low in additives and histamines could help reduce hive symptoms.
    — Zia Sherrell, Health, 11 Mar. 2026
  • These additives help maintain moisture and prevent mold growth, keeping them fresh longer.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'additive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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