punitive

Also pu·ni·to·ry

[pyoo-ni-tiv]

adjective

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

   punitive laws; punitive action.

punitive

/ ˈpjuːnɪtərɪ, ˈpjuːnɪtɪv, -trɪ /

adjective

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

   a punitive expedition

Other Word Forms

• punitively adverb
• punitiveness noun
• nonpunitive adjective
• nonpunitory adjective
• self-punitive adjective
• semipunitive adjective
• semipunitory adjective
• unpunitive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of punitive¹

1615–25; < Medieval Latin pūnītīvus of punishment, equivalent to Latin pūnīt ( us ) (past participle of pūnīre to punish ) + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of punitive¹

C17: from Medieval Latin pūnītīvus concerning punishment, from Latin pūnīre to punish

Example Sentences

The plaintiffs are asking for about $120 million in future earnings as well as additional millions for pain and suffering and punitive damages.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The goal of these safeguards, Lin observed, is to protect grant recipients from “‘vindictive’ or ‘punitive’” actions by the government.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

All across this society, employees are subjected to routine punitive workplace soundtracks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday for “inhumane” and “punitive” conditions at California City Detention Facility in the Mojave Desert.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They are brass, ivory and wooden sculptures that once adorned the royal palace of the Benin Kingdom before British soldiers looted them in 1897 during a punitive expedition.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• disciplinary 
• penal 
• punishing 
• retaliatory 
• vindictive