punitive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The punitive phase of the civil trial began Thursday, after jurors determined that Grossman had acted with malice and oppression and Erickson with malice, oppression or fraud.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026
They are self-censoring and disengaging from campaign activism to avoid punitive measures.
From Salon • May 28, 2026
He added that education, rather than "punitive punishment", is the solution to children displaying discriminatory behaviour where it comes from a "lack of understanding and without intention to offend".
From BBC • May 26, 2026
To your point: This rather punitive tax structure encourages grantors — again, that’s you — to distribute income to beneficiaries rather than retain that income, which is then compressed into higher tax brackets.
From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026
Remember, self-assessment is only for your benefit to develop and grow as a person, and is not punitive.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Vocabulary lists containing punitive
This Week in Words: September 15 - 21, 2018
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Just Mercy
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Auggie & Me
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