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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of punitive
Some states, including Michigan, impose purely punitive sanctions such as fines or jail time.
—
Caitlin Cavanagh, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
But to do so now would be punitive and feel good to many Dolfans, that’s all.
—Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.
—Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
But opponents, mostly representing wealthier communities, said the bill contained punitive requirements from the state.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Caitlin Cavanagh, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
But to do so now would be punitive and feel good to many Dolfans, that’s all.
—Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
To the extent permitted by applicable law, all judgments or awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket damages (excluding attorneys’ fees) associated with participation in this Promotion and shall not include any indirect, punitive, incidental and/or consequential damages.
—Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
But opponents, mostly representing wealthier communities, said the bill contained punitive requirements from the state.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punitive
Adjective
-
The correctional center, located on a military base about 40 miles outside Philadelphia, became Combs' home after his attorneys complained about the conditions at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Then, correctional officers and medical staff arrived.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
In many cases, those who have been arrested are, in essence, disappeared into the federal penal system.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Hollfelder had been charged with abuse of residents of penal facilities, a felony that can carry a sentence of up to 1½ years in prison and two years on extended supevision.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For Turner-Smith, who has had her share of death onscreen in various film and television projects, another round with Kaluuya could serve as a corrective to that.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
-
In conjunction with the 20-day MA, the weekly stochastics have rolled over for NEM in support of several weeks of corrective price action.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punitive. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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