Entry Word: punitive

Function: adjective

Meaning: 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 castigating, chastening, chastising, correcting, correctional, corrective, disciplinary, disciplining, penal, penalizing

Related Words retaliatory, retributive, retributory, revengeful; vengeful, wrathful

Near Antonyms compensatory; acquitting, exculpating, exculpatory, exonerating, vindicating; absolving, condoning, pardoning, remitting; commuting, reprieving