punitive

adjective

pu·​ni·​tive ˈpyü-nə-tiv 

: inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment

severe punitive measures

punitively adverb

punitiveness noun

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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

On the presidential campaign trail, Trump has proposed the idea of a punitive universal tariff of—depending on the day—ten to 20 percent or higher on all imports from all countries, as well as a 60 percent tariff on goods from China. —Miriam Sapiro, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2024

How, then, are FBAR penalties deemed to be remedial as opposed to punitive? —Robert Goulder, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024

He was charged with indecent assault, convicted and dishonorably discharged — the military's most punitive form of separation. —Jessica Kegu, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2024

China introduced a defacto ban on live rock lobster in 2020 while denying the move — and a raft of other punitive tariffs — were linked to the worst crisis in relations in decades. —Shawn Tully, Fortune Asia, 10 Oct. 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