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
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Recent Examples of punitive
The shift of Gardner to a standard contract leaves the Heat with enough room under the punitive NBA luxury tax to add another player to the standard contract on a similar pro-rated share of the veteran-minimum salary, should Rozier be waived.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
The committee recommended punitive measures against Sandy and 16 other named officials.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Public Act 23-167, passed in 2023, called on schools to begin implementing restorative justice practices — the goal being to address problematic student behavior without resorting to punitive measures like suspension.
—Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Although labeled a lateral move, this punitive transfer functioned as a demotion in responsibility, stature, and opportunity.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Feb. 2026
The committee recommended punitive measures against Sandy and 16 other named officials.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Public Act 23-167, passed in 2023, called on schools to begin implementing restorative justice practices — the goal being to address problematic student behavior without resorting to punitive measures like suspension.
—Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Although labeled a lateral move, this punitive transfer functioned as a demotion in responsibility, stature, and opportunity.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punitive
Adjective
-
With Republicans once again campaigning on public safety issues despite falling crime rates, Pritzker’s plan highlights funding for two additional classes of Illinois State Police cadets and to hire 100 additional correctional officers for the Illinois Department of Corrections.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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Song continued firing at the wounded officer, who is not named in court documents, as well as at two correctional officers until his rifle jammed, authorities said.—
Kevin Krause,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Russell is charged with both abuse of residents in penal facilities and misconduct in public office.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
12 Feb. 2026
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In many cases, those who have been arrested are, in essence, disappeared into the federal penal system.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
When external oversight must depend on internal reporting, particularly when corrective actions lag, transparency suffers.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
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Because Nori is shared by default, coordination becomes collaborative instead of corrective.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punitive. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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