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

• correctional
• penal
• corrective
• correcting

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

Advocates of a lighter touch argue that an overly punitive system can hinder rehabilitation and reintegration into society. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Business coalitions can join forces with university associations to challenge punitive overreach in court, while also investing directly in scholarships and workforce partnerships to safeguard the talent pipeline. —Leadership Brainery, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

In the spring, investors were worried the Department of Justice’s monopoly ruling meant that the search giant would be forced into a breakup that would be undoubtedly punitive, Cramer said. —Julie Coleman, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025

The suit, served on Sharp last week, seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages and reimbursement for attorney’s fees. —Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025

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