as in correctional
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
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Recent Examples of punitive
Making prosecution more efficient Case dismissals triggered by a lack of resources could be construed as the recalibration of a historically punitive legal system.
—
Rebecca Dunlea, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Those punitive policies need to end.
—Jeffrey D. Klausner, STAT, 17 June 2026
Although the broader changes to Medicaid can’t be unwound, their implementation doesn’t have to be this punitive.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Hundreds of detainees were on a hunger strike, asking for unspoiled food, medical care, and an end to punitive transfers, among other demands.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Rebecca Dunlea, The Conversation, 17 June 2026
Those punitive policies need to end.
—Jeffrey D. Klausner, STAT, 17 June 2026
Although the broader changes to Medicaid can’t be unwound, their implementation doesn’t have to be this punitive.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Hundreds of detainees were on a hunger strike, asking for unspoiled food, medical care, and an end to punitive transfers, among other demands.
—Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punitive
Adjective
-
Most recently, in April, a funding shortfall strained the supply of medicine, according to the two correctional health staff members who requested anonymity.—
Gavin J. Quinton,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
-
Rapid point-of-care syphilis tests should be deployed in emergency departments, urgent care centers, shelters, correctional settings, and mobile clinics.—
Jeffrey D. Klausner,
STAT,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
The 47-month sentence is notable given the Dutch penal system’s typically short prison terms.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
9 June 2026
-
Colorado was the first of eight states to repeal its penal exception clause.—
Julia Bowling,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The effects of disease should be monitored so corrective action can be taken when necessary, according to the report.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
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Integrating digital into an already mature lean environment can help executives understand what corrective measures haven’t been acted on, but technology alone isn’t enough for true accountability.—
David Caines,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punitive. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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