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- Dictionarypunitive/ˈpjuːnɪtɪv/
adjective
- 1. inflicting or intended as punishment: "he called for punitive measures against the Eastern bloc" Similar
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PUNITIVE definition: 1. intended as a punishment: 2. used to describe costs that are so high they are difficult to pay…. Learn more.
The meaning of PUNITIVE is inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment. How to use punitive in a sentence. Punitive and the Law
Punitive describes inflicting a punishment. If someone takes punitive action against you, you'll probably whine and complain — you're in trouble and you're about to get punished.
relating to, involving, or with the intention of inflicting punishment. a punitive expedition. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. Derived forms. punitively (ˈpunitively) adverb. punitiveness (ˈpunitiveness) noun.
PUNITIVE definition: given as a punishment or seeming like a punishment: . Learn more.
Origin of punitive 1 1615–25; < Medieval Latin pūnītīvus of punishment, equivalent to Latin pūnīt ( us ) (past participle of pūnīre to punish ) + -īvus -ive Discover More
Definition of punitive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English pu‧ni‧tive /ˈpjuːnətɪv/ adjective [ usually before noun] 1 intended to punish someone punitive action/measures etc The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action. The jury awarded punitive damages (=money paid to someone who is the victim of a crime).
adjective. 1. retaliatory, in retaliation, vindictive, in reprisal, revengeful, retaliative, punitory punitive measures against foreign companies. 2. severe, high, harsh, stiff, drastic, stringent, austere, draconian, prohibitive, burdensome The Green party wants punitive taxes on petrol.
noun. Word origin. ML punitivus < L punitus, pp. of punire, to punish. Word Frequency. punitive in American English. (ˈpjuːnɪtɪv) adjective. serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment. punitive laws. punitive action. Also: punitory (ˈpjuːnɪˌtɔri, -ˌtouri) Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC.
