punitive
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonpunitive adjective
- nonpunitory adjective
- punitively adverb
- punitiveness noun
- self-punitive adjective
- semipunitive adjective
- semipunitory adjective
- unpunitive adjective
Etymology
Origin of punitive
1615–25; < Medieval Latin pūnītīvus of punishment, equivalent to Latin pūnīt ( us ) (past participle of pūnīre to punish ) + -īvus -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jobcentre users I've spoken to have painted a picture of them as frightening, punitive environments, where people are told what they must do, or face losing their benefits.
From BBC
In arguing his case for punitive damages, Kaley's attorney Mark Lanier - a folksy Texas litigator - had shown the jury a jar of M&Ms.
From BBC
The jurors ordered the companies to pay $6 million in damages, including $3 million in punitive damages, holding them accountable for the mental health toll of their design choices.
From Barron's
In a second phase, jurors added a further $3 million in total punitive damages after finding both companies had acted with malice, oppression or fraud.
From Barron's
She remained stoic as the verdict, the $3-million damages award and the finding for punitive damages were read out.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
