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definitions

punitive

[ pyoo-ni-tiv ]
/ ˈpyu nɪ tɪv /

adjective

serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment: punitive laws; punitive action.

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Nearby words

  1. punishable,
  2. punisher,
  3. punishing,
  4. punishment,
  5. punition,
  6. punitive damages,
  7. punitively,
  8. punitory,
  9. punjab,
  10. punjab states
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
Related forms
Can be confusedpenal penological punitive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for punitively

punitive

less commonly punitory (ˈpjuːnɪtərɪ, -trɪ)

/ (ˈpjuːnɪtɪv) /

adjective

relating to, involving, or with the intention of inflicting punishmenta punitive expedition
Derived Formspunitively, 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
Word Origin and History for punitively

punitive

adj.

1620s, "inflicting or involving punishment," from French punitif (16c.) or directly from Medieval Latin punitivus, from Latin punitus, past participle of punire "to punish, correct, chastise" (see punish).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper