in·dic·a·tive
in-ˈdi-kə-tiv 
1
: serving to indicate
actions indicative of fear
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb form or set of verb forms that represents the denoted act or state as an objective fact
the indicative mood
indicatively
adverb
1
: the indicative mood of a language
2
: a form in the indicative mood
Synonyms
Examples of indicative in a Sentence
Adjective
In “I walked to school,” the verb walked is in the indicative mood.
a wide-eyed look that is indicative of his constant curiosity
Recent Examples on the Web
Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Renaissance’s numbers, while nothing to scoff at, were indicative of its circumstances — Beyoncé’s first solo studio album to receive a simultaneous wide release across all major streaming platforms.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
That, to me, is indicative of the fact that there are efforts to try to find ways in which there can be some kind of interpretation of these laws that will not implicate assistance to Israel.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
In addition, even if the Company's actual results, prospects and performance are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this document, those results may not be indicative of results in subsequent periods.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Lambert is indicative of a growing schism in the community.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Entering the three-story home’s front courtyard, with its lush landscaping, is indicative of the drama that continues to unfold inside.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
The moment was fun and buoyant, indicative of a new chapter for the 15-year-old band.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
This amazing rug is indicative of the brand’s bold use of color and infectious creative spirit.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Brian Lowry, CNN, 28 Apr. 2023
Since then, atmospheric river events and a parade of storms have mostly turned things around, with green and blue colors on Dec. 27, 2021 indicative of normal to above-normal snowpack.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
Six straight days of temperatures stuck at or below freezing led the city to shut off more than 3,000 meters with usage rates averaging more than 50 gallons per hour, a rate indicative of an account with a broken service line.
—David Showers, Arkansas Online, 20 Dec. 2022
With La Niña's demise, just a small patch of blue indicative of cooler than average sea surface temperatures remains in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2017
Is Noah’s departure indicative of a major change in late-night television?
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2022
That includes on social media, where his posts are part public relations campaign, his relative ease on camera indicative of his many years under bright lights in a boxing ring.
—Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2022
Jones said that taking out a word or phrase indicative of prostitution didn’t change the fact that the overall ad was for prostitution.
—Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2021
Sacrificing knowledge of a partner’s appearance, the reasoning goes, is an act indicative of an openhearted and honorable spirit.
—New York Times, 19 July 2021
Adjective
The emergence of quarterbacks like Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and C.J. Stroud, to name a few, is indicative of a new era in football and a glimpse into what the sport is trending toward.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
Renaissance’s numbers, while nothing to scoff at, were indicative of its circumstances — Beyoncé’s first solo studio album to receive a simultaneous wide release across all major streaming platforms.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
That, to me, is indicative of the fact that there are efforts to try to find ways in which there can be some kind of interpretation of these laws that will not implicate assistance to Israel.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
In addition, even if the Company's actual results, prospects and performance are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this document, those results may not be indicative of results in subsequent periods.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Lambert is indicative of a growing schism in the community.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024
Entering the three-story home’s front courtyard, with its lush landscaping, is indicative of the drama that continues to unfold inside.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
The moment was fun and buoyant, indicative of a new chapter for the 15-year-old band.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024
This amazing rug is indicative of the brand’s bold use of color and infectious creative spirit.
—Perrie Samotin, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Indeed, by giving Wendy a more active part in the heroics indicative of the title change, this movie features more female empowerment all around, dispensing with much of the petty jealousy and girlish mooning over Peter that didn’t age particularly well during the last 70 years.
—Brian Lowry, CNN, 28 Apr. 2023
Since then, atmospheric river events and a parade of storms have mostly turned things around, with green and blue colors on Dec. 27, 2021 indicative of normal to above-normal snowpack.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 28 Dec. 2021
Six straight days of temperatures stuck at or below freezing led the city to shut off more than 3,000 meters with usage rates averaging more than 50 gallons per hour, a rate indicative of an account with a broken service line.
—David Showers, Arkansas Online, 20 Dec. 2022
With La Niña's demise, just a small patch of blue indicative of cooler than average sea surface temperatures remains in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2017
Is Noah’s departure indicative of a major change in late-night television?
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2022
That includes on social media, where his posts are part public relations campaign, his relative ease on camera indicative of his many years under bright lights in a boxing ring.
—Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2022
Jones said that taking out a word or phrase indicative of prostitution didn’t change the fact that the overall ad was for prostitution.
—Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2021
Sacrificing knowledge of a partner’s appearance, the reasoning goes, is an act indicative of an openhearted and honorable spirit.
—New York Times, 19 July 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indicative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing indicative
Articles Related to indicative
Dictionary Entries Near indicative
Cite this Entry
“Indicative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indicative. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
indicative
1 of 2 adjective
in·dic·a·tive
in-ˈdik-ət-iv
1
: of, relating to, or being the grammatical mood that represents an act or state as a fact that can be known or proved
in "I am here," the verb "am" is in the indicative mood
2
: indicating something
remarks indicative of jealousy
indicatively
adverb
indicative
2 of 2 noun
: the indicative mood of a verb or a verb in this mood
More from Merriam-Webster on indicative
Nglish: Translation of indicative for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of indicative for Arabic Speakers
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