punitive

[ pyoo-ni-tiv ]

/ ˈpyu nɪ tɪv /

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See synonyms for punitive on Thesaurus.com

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

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

OTHER WORDS FROM punitive

pu·ni·tive·ly, adverbpu·ni·tive·ness, nounnon·pu·ni·tive, adjectivenon·pu·ni·to·ry, adjective

self-pu·ni·tive, adjectivesem·i·pu·ni·tive, adjectivesem·i·pu·ni·to·ry, adjectiveun·pu·ni·tive, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH punitive

penal, penological, punitive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use punitive in a sentence

Under Engler’s administration, Michigan lowered the age at which children could be tried as adults to 14, although some could be younger, and instituted more punitive juvenile sentencing provisions, among other measures.
Judges Are Locking Up Children for Noncriminal Offenses Like Repeatedly Disobeying Their Parents and Skipping School|by Jodi S. Cohen and Duaa Eldeib|December 22, 2020|ProPublica
Her own outlook has changed, but many prosecutors and judges in Michigan continue to view juvenile justice in a punitive way, she said.
Judges Are Locking Up Children for Noncriminal Offenses Like Repeatedly Disobeying Their Parents and Skipping School|by Jodi S. Cohen and Duaa Eldeib|December 22, 2020|ProPublica
Officials in the Rio Grande Valley interviewed for this story say their intentions were never punitive but were meant to combat a once-in-a-lifetime crisis.
Restrictions on the South Texas Border Were Meant to Protect People From COVID-19. Then the Handcuffs Came Out.|by Vianna Davila and Ren Larson|December 19, 2020|ProPublica
Harrison said the intent of the bill is not to be punitive, but to make it easier for families to make healthier choices.
Goodbye Coke, hello milk! Prince George’s pushes healthy kids’ menu|Rachel Chason|November 30, 2020|Washington Post

Advocates of criminal justice reform argue that societies around the world – and the United States in particular – would benefit from lighter sentences and less punitive criminal justice systems.
Why It’s Important To See Women As Capable … Of Terrible Atrocities|LGBTQ-Editor|November 21, 2020|No Straight News
The idea of dealing punitively with those unfortunates was given up at least fifty years ago, and I think more.
Looking Backward|Edward Bellamy

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, noun

Word Origin for punitive

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

punitive

Origin of punitive

OTHER WORDS FROM punitive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH punitive

Words related to punitive

How to use punitive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for punitive

less commonly punitory (ˈpjuːnɪtərɪ, -trɪ)

Derived forms of punitive

Word Origin for punitive