punitive

[ 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

Derived Forms

• ˈpunitiveness, noun
• ˈpunitively, adverb

Other Words From

• puni·tive·ly adverb
• puni·tive·ness noun
• non·puni·tive adjective
• non·puni·tory adjective
• self-puni·tive adjective
• semi·puni·tive adjective
• semi·puni·tory adjective
• un·puni·tive 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

“And if Trump dismantles our democracy, as many fear will be the case, and the world’s greatest power, the U.S., becomes — in essence — a petrostate, it’s game over for climate action full stop for the foreseeable future, unless the rest of the world unites and takes bold action, including potentially the most punitive possible sanctions against the United States.”

From Salon

“And if Trump dismantles our democracy, as many fear will be the case, and the world’s greatest power, the U.S., becomes — in essence — a petrostate, it’s game over for climate action full stop for the foreseeable future, unless the rest of the world unites and takes bold action, including potentially the most punitive possible sanctions against the United States.”

From Salon

The ruling comes in response to a number of petitions seeking action against authorities using demolition as a punitive measure against those accused or convicted of crimes.

From BBC

The jury awarded plaintiffs Mr al-Shimari, a middle school headmaster, Mr al-Ejaili, a journalist, and Mr al-Zubae, a fruit vendor, $3m each in compensatory damages and $11m each in punitive damages.

From BBC

As a result of punitive policies like Senate Bill 14, doctors providing gender-affirming care are leaving Texas in droves, not unlike the exodus of reproductive health care workers leaving Texas because of abortion bans.

From Salon

Related Words

• disciplinary
• penal
• punishing
• retaliatory
• vindictive