punitive

adjective

pu·ni·tive ˈpyü-nə-tiv How to pronounce punitive (audio)

: 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.

Example Sentences

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 Confronting and taking away privileges all sounds completely punitive, with no apparent connection to the behavior.

Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022 The Hall of Fame quarterback believes pass-interference calls can be too punitive on a defense, particularly when a flag leads to an offense picking up a huge piece of real estate.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The broader focus of criminal justice was on the punitive, not the preventative.

Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2022 The contract then was reworked to a two-year, $18.2 million deal, with an $8.7 million salary for the upcoming season, one that helped the Heat stay below the punitive luxury tax, and includes a player option in the second year.

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 The program helps those who may have been involved with the court or punitive systems, Hines said, but is also open to serving any kind of in-need youth.

Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Aug. 2022 The firings led to accusations from critics of Hungary’s nationalist government, led by autocratic Prime Minister Viktor Orban, of punitive political pressure reminiscent of Hungary’s communist past.

Justin Spike, ajc, 27 Aug. 2022 In Georgia, 75% of proceeds from punitive damage verdicts go to the state.

Robert Burnson, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 This isn’t surprising, given conservative resistance to pretty much any policy response to crime that focuses on compassionate prevention rather than punitive reaction.

Liza Featherstone, The New Republic, 15 Aug. 2022 See More

单词	punitive
释义	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 See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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 Confronting and taking away privileges all sounds completely punitive, with no apparent connection to the behavior. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022 The Hall of Fame quarterback believes pass-interference calls can be too punitive on a defense, particularly when a flag leads to an offense picking up a huge piece of real estate. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 The broader focus of criminal justice was on the punitive, not the preventative. Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2022 The contract then was reworked to a two-year, $18.2 million deal, with an $8.7 million salary for the upcoming season, one that helped the Heat stay below the punitive luxury tax, and includes a player option in the second year. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2022 The program helps those who may have been involved with the court or punitive systems, Hines said, but is also open to serving any kind of in-need youth. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Aug. 2022 The firings led to accusations from critics of Hungary’s nationalist government, led by autocratic Prime Minister Viktor Orban, of punitive political pressure reminiscent of Hungary’s communist past. Justin Spike, ajc, 27 Aug. 2022 In Georgia, 75% of proceeds from punitive damage verdicts go to the state. Robert Burnson, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Aug. 2022 This isn’t surprising, given conservative resistance to pretty much any policy response to crime that focuses on compassionate prevention rather than punitive reaction. Liza Featherstone, The New Republic, 15 Aug. 2022 See More 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 punitive damages Legal Definition punitive adjective pu·ni·tive ˈpyü-nə-tiv : inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment punitive adjective as in penal inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment any misbehavior was immediately met with a punitive response the company had to pay a million dollars in punitive damages Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance penal correctional correcting penalizing corrective disciplinary disciplining retaliatory chastening retributive chastising castigating revengeful vengeful wrathful retaliative retributory Antonyms & Near Antonyms compensatory nonpunitive exculpatory vindicating exculpating exonerating remitting pardoning condoning commuting absolving acquitting reprieving See More
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punitive

adjective

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing punitive

Legal Definition

adjective

adjective