punitive
UK: ˈpjuːnɪtɪv | US: ˈpjuːnɪtɪv
adj. intended to punish or inflict punishment
adj. excessively harsh or severe
The word punitive traces back to Latin pūnītivus, meaning "pertaining to punishment." It combines pūnīre ("to punish") with the adjectival suffix -ivus, which was later adapted into English as -itive. The core idea of punishment (poena) persists in related words like penalty and pain, reflecting its historical association with retribution or consequence.
The court imposed punitive damages on the company for its negligence.
Critics argue that the new tax law is overly punitive toward small businesses.
The government adopted punitive measures to deter illegal activities.
Punitive actions should be proportionate to the offense committed.
The treaty included punitive clauses for non-compliance.