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

Twenty-four means the coaches scared of their own shadows and tough nonconference opponents — here’s looking at you, Curt Cignetti — will schedule a more difficult Power 4 because a loss won’t be so punitive. — Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 9 Nov. 2026

The country does have a wealth tax dating back to the nineteenth century, but it is administered at the canton level and its highest marginal rate is nowhere near as punitive as the California proposal. — Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026

The Kingdom of Benin was looted of roughly 5,000 royal and religious objects in 1897 by British forces on a punitive expedition through what is now Nigeria. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026

The Miami Correctional Facility, however, is the only detention center located inside an active state prison designed for punitive confinement. — Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 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