ameliorative
improving or meant to make better
Roots
Other words with the melior root
- ameliorate: to make better or less bad
- amelioration: the act or process of making something better
- meliorism: belief that the world can be improved
Melior points to better and -ative gives the tending-to-effect shape. Ameliorative action makes things better.
The tutor chose an ameliorative tone: firm enough to help and gentle enough not to crush confidence.