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 of punitive

• 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

The answer is not to abandon reform or return to the purely punitive policies of past decades. —Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026

There’s more work to do on SSI’s punitive asset cap. —Michael Frerichs, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

Since 1999, the organization has worked to educate the public to destigmatize drug addiction and influence drug policy away from punitive criminal justice approaches to those of harm reduction and public health. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

Among the punitive actions to which Venus agreed are a $5,000 fine; $2,188 in case reimbursement costs; and a two-year probation during which there will be twice-a-year inspections by the Department of Health. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026

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