First Known Use: 1624
Dictionary
punitive
adjective pu·ni·tive \ˈpyü-nə-tiv\
: intended to punish someone or something
: extremely or unfairly severe or high
Full Definition of PUNITIVE
: inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment <severe punitive measures>
— pu·ni·tive·ly adverb
— pu·ni·tive·ness noun
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Origin of PUNITIVE
French punitif, from Medieval Latin punitivus, from Latin punitus, past participle of punire
Related to PUNITIVE
- Synonyms
- castigating, chastening, chastising, correcting, correctional, corrective, disciplinary, disciplining, penal, penalizing
- Antonyms
- nonpunitive
Rhymes with PUNITIVE
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