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

Following weeks of escalating tensions, Beijing and Washington agreed in May to suspend the hefty duties and loosen several punitive measures imposed in April, as both sides continued to work on hammering out a durable deal. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025

The Oladipo trade allowed Miami to avoid surpassing the second apron, which comes with punitive financial and competitive disadvantages. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025

An industrial policy based entirely on punitive, unilateral tariffs will not promote the sustainable growth of the United States’ industrial base. —Wally Adeyemo, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025

But Trump’s volatile and at times punitive trade policies now appear to be pushing India towards China. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 18 Aug. 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