punitive
[ pyoo-ni-tiv ]
/ ˈpyu nɪ tɪv /
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adjective
serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment: punitive laws; punitive action.
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Also pu·ni·to·ry [pyoo-ni-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]. /ˈpyu nɪˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/.
Origin of punitive
OTHER WORDS FROM punitive
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH punitive
penal, penological, punitiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use punitive in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for punitive
punitive
less commonly punitory (ˈpjuːnɪtərɪ, -trɪ)
/ (ˈpjuːnɪtɪv) /
adjective
relating to, involving, or with the intention of inflicting punishmenta punitive expedition
Derived forms of punitive
punitively, adverbpunitiveness, nounWord Origin for punitive
C17: from Medieval Latin pūnītīvus concerning punishment, from Latin pūnīre to punish
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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