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
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Recent Examples of punitive
But no matter how puzzling the situation turns, Raat resolves them with a fascinating penchant for retribution, not unlike the punitive God in the Bible.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 28 Dec. 2024
However, there were notable setbacks: certain states, such as Florida, failed to legalize while the perennial banking ban, compounded by punitive tax burdens, remain problematic.
—Iris Dorbian, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
What To Know In an appearance on Fox News, Li described her departure as akin to escaping a restrictive and punitive environment.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
The Mexican Geological Service makes no mention of any termination of Canadian mining rights this year, nor has Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned any such punitive steps in her news conferences since Trump announced the tariffs.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punitive 
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 28 Dec. 2024
However, there were notable setbacks: certain states, such as Florida, failed to legalize while the perennial banking ban, compounded by punitive tax burdens, remain problematic.
—Iris Dorbian, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
What To Know In an appearance on Fox News, Li described her departure as akin to escaping a restrictive and punitive environment.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
The Mexican Geological Service makes no mention of any termination of Canadian mining rights this year, nor has Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned any such punitive steps in her news conferences since Trump announced the tariffs.
—Nate Trela, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punitive
Thesaurus Entries Near punitive
Cite this Entry
“Punitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punitive. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.
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