Incorrective

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to a type of intervention aimed at correcting a mistake or undesirable behavior
2. Describing strategies or measures that seek to amend flaws or inaccuracies
3. Pertaining to actions intended to restore correctness or proper conduct

Etymology: "Incorrective" is a straightforward formation: the adjective "corrective" with the negative prefix "in-" attached. "Corrective" itself comes from Medieval Latin "correctivus", derived from the verb "corrigere", meaning to set straight, from "com-" (intensive) plus "regere" (to lead or rule). Its English use dates to the 15th century, when it described something that served to remedy or counteract a fault. "Incorrective" is not a standard word and does not appear in major dictionaries such as the OED or Merriam-Webster. It follows the pattern of pairs like "effective" and "ineffective" or "sensitive" and "insensitive", where "in-" reverses the sense. Because "corrective" already means "tending to correct," the negated form would logically mean "not tending to correct," which is the opposite of the meaning given in your definition. The definition you supplied, "pertaining to actions intended to restore correctness," describes what "corrective" means, so the word as defined would ordinarily be written that way.

Synonyms: ineffective, unhelpful, nonrectifying

Antonyms: corrective, remedial, curative