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

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

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

Proponents of more punitive measures say homelessness has gotten out of control, undermining the quality of life as cities have become more lax about enforcing laws against camping and public use of drugs and alcohol.

From Los Angeles Times

Now that so many of us know exactly which people in our lives are unbothered by the punitive backlash against our sex, how much can ever be right ever again?

From Salon

Mexico has benefitted from “nearshoring” – that is, the relocation of US and Asian firms from China to northern Mexico to bypass punitive US tariffs on Chinese exports.

From BBC

Related Words

• disciplinary
• penal
• punishing
• retaliatory
• vindictive