punitive

[ pyoo-ni-tiv ]
/ ˈpyu nɪ tɪv /

adjective

serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment: punitive laws; punitive action.
Also pu·ni·to·ry [pyoo-ni-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈpyu nɪˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/.

Origin of punitive

1615–25; < Medieval Latin pūnītīvus of punishment, equivalent to Latin pūnīt(us) (past participle of pūnīre to punish) + -īvus -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM punitive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH punitive

penal penological punitive

Words nearby punitive

punish, punishable, punishing, punishment, punition, punitive, punitive damages, punjab, punjab states, punjabi, punji stake

British Dictionary definitions for nonpunitive

punitive

less commonly punitory (ˈpjuːnɪtərɪ, -trɪ)

/ (ˈpjuːnɪtɪv) /

adjective

relating to, involving, or with the intention of inflicting punishment a punitive expedition

Derived forms of punitive

punitively, adverb punitiveness, noun

Word Origin for punitive

C17: from Medieval Latin pūnītīvus concerning punishment, from Latin pūnīre to punish