punitive
PYOO-nih-tiv
/ˈpjuːnətɪv/
Inflicting or intended as punishment.
Used to describe actions, measures, or laws rather than people's feelings.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'poena', which means 'penalty' or 'pain'. This is the same root that gives us 'pain', 'penalty', and 'penitentiary'.
Word relationships
- disciplinary: Focuses on maintaining order or teaching a lesson.
- penal: Relating to the legal system of punishment.
- rewarding: Providing satisfaction or profit.
- rehabilitative: Intended to restore someone to health or normal life.
Commonly confused with
- vindictive: 'Punitive' is an objective description of a punishment; 'vindictive' is a subjective description of a person's spiteful motive.
Word family
- punish (verb): To inflict a penalty on someone for an offense.
- punishment (noun): The penalty inflicted.
Collocations
- punitive damages
- punitive measures
- punitive action
Example sentences
- "The jury awarded punitive damages to the plaintiff to discourage the company from repeating its negligence." Law
- "The country faced punitive interest rates after defaulting on its sovereign debt." Economics
Memory hook
'Punitive' starts with 'Punish'. It's an action that is 'Punish-ive'. Designed to punish.
When not to use
Not used to describe a person's character (use 'vindictive' for that).
Fun facts
- 'Punitive damages' are often called 'exemplary damages' because they are meant to make an 'example' of the defendant.
Related words
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