punitively
gb/pjˈunɪtɪvli/ us/pjˈunɪtɪvli/
C1
Englisch
Bedeutungen
0 Bedeutungen
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in a way that punishes
in a way that is meant to punish
Verwendungsmuster:
treat/discipline/sentence/fine [someone] punitively
Häufiger Fehler:
Do not confuse with "punctually" or "pugnaciously"; "punitively" relates to punishment.
Synonyme
harshly (Emphasizes severity but not necessarily punishment as the purpose.)
|
severely (Focuses on degree/intensity rather than the punitive intention.)
|
vindictively (Suggests a desire for revenge, which is stronger and more personal than neutral punishment.)
Antonyme
leniently (Opposite approach: not strict or harsh in punishing.)
|
mercifully (Shows compassion instead of punishment.)
Wortverbindungen
discipline punitively
|treat someone punitively
|act punitively
|respond punitively
|punish punitively
|sentence punitively
|fine punitively
|enforce a rule punitively
|apply a policy punitively
|handle a case punitively
Themen
law
|crime
|education
|rules
|conflict
Beispiele
- The school disciplined students punitively rather than trying to address the underlying problems.
- Critics argued that the law was being enforced punitively against minor offenders.
- Some courts still sentence nonviolent crimes punitively instead of focusing on rehabilitation.
Beispiele für Lernende
- The rule was used punitively.
- He was punished punitively for a small mistake.
adverb
formal
C1
property
2
so harsh it feels punishing
extremely (so it feels like a punishment)
Verwendungsmuster:
be punitively high/expensive/long/strict
Häufiger Fehler:
Often used with adjectives like "high" or "expensive"; it does not mean "positively" or "helpfully."
Synonyme
prohibitively (Common for costs/requirements that effectively prevent something; less about 'punishment' feeling.)
|
exorbitantly (Emphasizes excessive cost, without the 'punishment' implication.)
Antonyme
reasonably (Not excessive; within a fair level.)
|
affordably (Low enough in cost to pay without hardship.)
Wortverbindungen
punitively high
|punitively expensive
|punitively long
|punitively strict
|punitively heavy fines
|punitively high interest rates
|punitively high fees
|punitively high taxes
|punitively high prices
|punitively high rents
Themen
money
|business
|time
|daily_life
Beispiele
- Parking fees are punitively high downtown on weekends.
- The hotel is punitively expensive during peak season.
- Late-payment interest can become punitively high if you miss multiple due dates.
Beispiele für Lernende
- The rent is punitively high here.
- Tickets were punitively expensive.
Grammatik
Grundform
punitively
IPA
GB/pjˈunɪtɪvli/
US/pjˈunɪtɪvli/
Silben & Betonung
pun - it - ively (3 Silben)
Stress on 1st syllable (pun)
Wortformen
Noun
- Base: punitively
- Plural: punitivelies
Wortfamilie
Forms
punitivelies
noun
Core family
Related words
punishable
adjective
punisher
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unpunished
adjective
nonpunitive
adjective
Advanced or less common
punitiveness
noun
Ausdrücke
punitively expensive
1/pjˈunɪtɪvli ɪkspˈɛnsɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely expensive, like punishment
so expensive it feels unfair
Beispiele
- Dining out became punitively expensive after prices rose again.
- Car insurance can be punitively expensive for new drivers.
- Last-minute flights are punitively expensive during holidays.
punitively high
1/pjˈunɪtɪvli hˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely high, like punishment
very high (so it feels unfair)
Beispiele
- Some borrowers faced punitively high interest rates after missing a payment.
- Airport food is often punitively high in price.
- Many residents say local taxes are punitively high.
punitively long
1/pjˈunɪtɪvli lˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely long, like punishment
so long it feels like punishment
Beispiele
- The security line was punitively long on Monday morning.
- Some critics say mandatory minimums create punitively long prison sentences.
- The approval process can be punitively long for small businesses.
punitively strict
1/pjˈunɪtɪvli stɹˈɪkt/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely strict, like punishment
very strict in a punishing way
Beispiele
- Employees complained that the attendance policy was punitively strict.
- The new grading rules felt punitively strict to many students.
- Residents argued that the regulations were punitively strict for minor violations.