definitions

punitive

[ pyoo-ni-tiv ]
/ ˈpyu nɪ tɪv /

adjective

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

RELATED CONTENT

What’s Wrong With The Word “Addict”?The word addict dates back to at least the 1500s, adapted from the Latin addictus, meaning "assigned, surrendered." But, if experts in drug addiction treatment have their way, use of the word addict as a noun will soon see its end date.
READ MORE
What’s Wrong With The Word “Addict”?The word addict dates back to at least the 1500s, adapted from the Latin addictus, meaning "assigned, surrendered." But, if experts in drug addiction treatment have their way, use of the word addict as a noun will soon see its end date.
READ MORE

Nearby words

punish, punishable, punishing, punishment, punition, punitive, punitive damages, punjab, punjab states, punjabi, punji stake
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 confused

penal 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 Forms

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