punitive

adjective

pu·​ni·​tive ˈpyü-nə-tiv 

: inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment

severe punitive measures

punitively adverb

punitiveness noun

Did you know?

Punitive and the Law

Punitive is an important word in the law. When you sue a person or company for having wronged you in some way, you normally ask for something of value equal to what you were deprived of by the other party. But when the defendant has done something particularly bad, you may also ask for punitive damages, money over and above the actual cost of the harm done, intended to teach the defendant a lesson. Punitive damages are fairly rare, but when they're actually granted they may be as much as four times the size of the basic damages.

Synonyms

• castigating
• chastening
• chastising
• correcting
• correctional
• corrective
• disciplinary
• disciplining
• penal
• penalizing

Examples of punitive in a Sentence

The federal government will take punitive action against the company that polluted the river.

Lobbyists complain that the bill would impose punitive taxes on the industry.

Recent Examples on the Web

European tech leaders are concerned about the risk that punitive EU measures on U.S. tech firms could provoke a reaction from Trump, which might in turn cause the bloc to soften its approach. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2025

The former manager eventually filed an official police report in Detroit, and his attorneys are now asking for punitive and exemplary damages as well as general damages. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025

The government hit dozens of U.S. companies, including Raytheon, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, with punitive trade measures. Hawaii: Fireworks during New Year’s celebrations in Honolulu set off explosions that killed at least three people and injured more than two dozen others. —Natasha Frost, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025

But Cianciarulo warns that punitive policies on migrants tend to have only temporary impacts. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French punitif, from Medieval Latin punitivus, from Latin punitus, past participle of punire

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing punitive

• punitive damages

Kids Definition

punitive

adjective

pu·​ni·​tive ˈpyü-nət-iv 

1

: of or relating to punishment or penalties

punitive law

2

: intended to inflict punishment

a punitive expedition against outlaws

punitively adverb

Legal Definition

punitive

adjective

pu·​ni·​tive ˈpyü-nə-tiv 

: inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment

punitively adverb

punitiveness noun