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
The acts of Republicans during speeches to Congress by Presidents Obama and Biden drew far worse reactions and House Democrats turned their backs on punitive actions against those members.
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Yet the administration has signaled its intention to make noncompliance so punitive that many companies still are scrambling to review their DEI programs and practices for EO compliance.
—Jamie Dolkas, Harvard Business Review, 27 Feb. 2025
There is no compelling evidence that punitive sentencing policies discourage individuals from engaging in criminal activity.
—John Leverso, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2025
Trump also said Green was an embarrassment and called for punitive action against him.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Yet the administration has signaled its intention to make noncompliance so punitive that many companies still are scrambling to review their DEI programs and practices for EO compliance.
—Jamie Dolkas, Harvard Business Review, 27 Feb. 2025
There is no compelling evidence that punitive sentencing policies discourage individuals from engaging in criminal activity.
—John Leverso, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2025
Trump also said Green was an embarrassment and called for punitive action against him.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punitive
Cite this Entry
“Punitive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punitive. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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