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

See punitive defined for English-language learners

See punitive defined for kids

French punitif, from Medieval Latin punitivus, from Latin punitus, past participle of punire

First Known Use: 1624

Synonyms: castigating, chastening, chastising, correcting, correctional, corrective, disciplinary, disciplining, penal, penalizing

Next Word in the Dictionary: punitive damagesPrevious Word in the Dictionary: punitionAll Words Near: punitive

What made you want to look up punitive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears