PUNITIVE Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

punitive

adjective

ˈpyü-nə-tiv

Definition of punitive

as in correctional

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment any misbehavior was immediately met with a punitive response the company had to pay a million dollars in punitive damages

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of punitive The absolute yield level isn’t broadly punitive yet to big companies. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 Jurors awarded $6 million in damages ($3 million compensatory and $3 million punitive) to a 20-year-old woman whose compulsive childhood use of Instagram and YouTube exacerbated her severe depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia. — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026 Atlman added the punitive actions by the General Assembly should give pause to all citizens. — Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026 Trump’s treatment of South Korea is not unique, having taken punitive measures against a slew of allies who refused to back his invasion of Iran. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punitive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punitive

Adjective

Two additional correctional officers also sustained injuries during the incident and were taken to an area health clinic for treatment, according to Banevicius.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2026
By Bay City News An inmate serving a life sentence was convicted of assaulting a correctional officer in 2023 with a homemade dagger at Salinas Valley State Prison, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said.

— Bay City News, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of correctional

Adjective

The landfill will have two years to comply with the corrective measures.

— Da Lin, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
The individual who suffered the allergic reaction has fully recovered, and the manufacturer has identified the cause of the mislabeling issue and has taken corrective measures, the FDA said in its recall report.

— Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026