Search results
- Dictionarypunitive/ˈpjuːnɪtɪv/
adjective
- 1. inflicting or intended as punishment: "he called for punitive measures against the Eastern bloc" Similar
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
PUNITIVE definition: 1. intended as a punishment: 2. used to describe costs that are so high they are difficult to pay…. Learn more.
The meaning of PUNITIVE is inflicting, involving, or aiming at punishment. How to use punitive in a sentence. Punitive and the Law
Punitive describes inflicting a punishment. If someone takes punitive action against you, you'll probably whine and complain — you're in trouble and you're about to get punished.
relating to, involving, or with the intention of inflicting punishment. a punitive expedition. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. Derived forms. punitively (ˈpunitively) adverb. punitiveness (ˈpunitiveness) noun.
adjective. 1. retaliatory, in retaliation, vindictive, in reprisal, revengeful, retaliative, punitory punitive measures against foreign companies. 2. severe, high, harsh, stiff, drastic, stringent, austere, draconian, prohibitive, burdensome The Green party wants punitive taxes on petrol.
Definition of punitive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Punitive definition: serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment. See examples of PUNITIVE used in a sentence.
PUNITIVE definition: given as a punishment or seeming like a punishment: . Learn more.
noun. Word origin. ML punitivus < L punitus, pp. of punire, to punish. Word Frequency. punitive in American English. (ˈpjuːnɪtɪv) adjective. serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment. punitive laws. punitive action. Also: punitory (ˈpjuːnɪˌtɔri, -ˌtouri) Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC.
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English pu‧ni‧tive /ˈpjuːnətɪv/ adjective [ usually before noun] 1 intended to punish someone punitive action/measures etc The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action. The jury awarded punitive damages (=money paid to someone who is the victim of a crime).
