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
In the spring, investors were worried the Department of Justice’s monopoly ruling meant that the search giant would be forced into a breakup that would be undoubtedly punitive, Cramer said.
—
Julie Coleman, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
The suit, served on Sharp last week, seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages and reimbursement for attorney’s fees.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Ellis was seeking punitive and other damages that included medical expenses for a scratch on her face.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
The effort to deal with the emerging humanitarian crisis, officials say, was complicated by a president who felt a deep responsibility to Israel and its security, and the question of whether or not to openly confront Israel or use punitive measures, like withholding military aid.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Julie Coleman, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
The suit, served on Sharp last week, seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages and reimbursement for attorney’s fees.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Ellis was seeking punitive and other damages that included medical expenses for a scratch on her face.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
The effort to deal with the emerging humanitarian crisis, officials say, was complicated by a president who felt a deep responsibility to Israel and its security, and the question of whether or not to openly confront Israel or use punitive measures, like withholding military aid.
—Tom Bowman, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punitive
Adjective
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Following their deaths, the families of Green and Thyrion filed separate federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuits against Milwaukee County, the jail's medical provider and correctional staff.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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His son said Bolsonaro was accompanied to the hospital by correctional police officers who guard his home in Brasília.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Chinese are also concentrating on plug-in hybrids, which don’t carry the same penal tariffs as pure EVs, and which may have a long-term future if the EU decides to dilute its carbon dioxide emissions regime.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Sara has additionally been charged with possession of paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia and the introduction of contraband into a penal facility, police said.—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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By integrating tariff data with sales performance, market trends, and regulatory frameworks, Rensi can pinpoint inefficiencies, detect policy misalignments, and recommend corrective actions—ranging from renegotiating supplier terms to adjusting pricing strategies.—
Nish Acharya,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Restaurants that receive more than 30 demerits are required to immediately fix the most critical violations and start corrective procedures on all the other violations within 48 hours.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punitive. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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