punitive

American  

[pyoo-ni-tiv] / ˈpyu nɪ tɪv /

Also punitory

adjective

1. serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment.

   punitive laws; punitive action.

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punitive British  

/ ˈpjuːnɪtərɪ, ˈpjuːnɪtɪv, -trɪ /

adjective

1. relating to, involving, or with the intention of inflicting punishment

   a punitive expedition

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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

This time the order has flipped, bringing the punitive effects first.

From The Wall Street Journal

Joseph is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and payment of attorney fees in an amount to be determined at trial.

From Los Angeles Times

First was the carve-out from his punitive tariffs on Chinese goods for smartphones and other consumer electronics.

From The Wall Street Journal

The EU has finally agreed to remove the punitive measures it imposed in 2023.

From BBC

The Workers Fraud Protection Act, which takes effect Jan. 1, makes it “unlawful to falsely impersonate a union representative” and imposes punitive fines.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disciplinary
• penal
• punishing
• retaliatory
• vindictive