punitive
gb/pjˈunətɪv/ us/pjˈunətɪv/
C1
English
büntető, megtorló, aránytalanul súlyos, büntetően magas
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
punitive [measure/response/sanction/penalty] (against [someone/something])
The government introduced punitive measures to deter companies from dumping waste.
A kormány büntető intézkedéseket vezetett be, hogy visszatartsa a vállalatokat a hulladék lerakásától.
The committee rejected a punitive response and asked for a plan to prevent the problem happening again.
A bizottság elvetette a megtorló választ, és egy olyan tervet kért, amely megakadályozza a probléma megismétlődését.
Some critics say the new rules are punitive and target the poorest households.
Learner examples
The school has a punitive rule for late homework.
Az iskola büntető szabályt alkalmaz a késve beadott házi feladatok esetén.
The judge avoided punitive treatment and chose counseling instead.
A bíró kerülte a büntető jellegű elbánást, és inkább tanácsadást választott.
Common mistake:
Do not use punitive to mean simply “negative” or “critical”; it specifically suggests punishment or penalties.
Meaning
Intended to punish someone
Collocations
punitive measures
|punitive action
|punitive sanctions
|punitive policy
|punitive response
|punitive penalty
|punitive approach
|punitive laws
|punitive restrictions
|punitive fine
Synonyms
penal (More closely tied to criminal law and formal penalties.)
|
retributive (Emphasizes punishment as payback for wrongdoing.)
|
disciplinary (Often used for punishment within an organization (school/work), usually less severe.)
Antonyms
nonpunitive (Not intended to punish; focused on support or correction.)
|
lenient (Not strict or severe in punishment.)
|
rehabilitative (Focused on improving behavior rather than punishing.)
Themes
law
|politics
|crime
|society
Definition
Meant to punish someone.
Intended to punish someone, especially by imposing a penalty, hardship, or disadvantage.
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
punitive [tax/rate/conditions/terms]
Small businesses complained that the new reporting requirements were punitive.
A kisvállalkozások arra panaszkodtak, hogy az új jelentéstételi kötelezettségek aránytalanul terhesek voltak.
The loan came with punitive interest rates that made repayment almost impossible.
A hitelhez büntetően magas kamatok társultak, amelyek szinte lehetetlenné tették a visszafizetést.
Workers described the timetable as punitive, with barely any breaks.
Learner examples
The fees are punitive for students.
A díjak a diákok számára büntetően magasak.
The contract has punitive terms.
A szerződés feltételei aránytalanul súlyosak.
Common mistake:
Punitive usually suggests more than “strict”; it implies an unfairly heavy burden or penalty.
Meaning
Excessively harsh or severe
Collocations
punitive tax
|punitive rate
|punitive interest rates
|punitive fees
|punitive conditions
|punitive terms
|punitive pricing
|punitive fines
|punitive workload
|punitive schedule
Synonyms
harsh (More general; does not necessarily imply a penalty.)
|
draconian (Suggests extremely severe rules or punishments; more dramatic.)
|
punishing (More informal; often about demanding conditions.)
Antonyms
reasonable (Fair and not excessively demanding or severe.)
|
moderate (Not extreme in level or intensity.)
|
forgiving (Not harsh about mistakes or failures.)
Themes
business
|money
|law
|society
Definition
Very harsh or severe, like a punishment.
So severe that it feels like a punishment, even if punishment is not the stated purpose.
Grammar
Dictionary form
punitive
IPA
GB/pjˈunətɪv/
US/pjˈunətɪv/
Syllables & stress
pun - it - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pun)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: punitive
Word family
Core family
punish
verb B1
punishment
noun B1
Related words
punishable
adjective
punishing
adjective
punisher
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unpunished
adjective
Advanced or less common
punitively
adverb C1
Expressions
punitive action
1/pjˈunətɪv ˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Action taken to punish
Do something to punish someone.
Examples
- Management said it would take punitive action if the behavior continued.
- The agency was accused of taking punitive action against whistleblowers.
- The policy limits punitive action and encourages coaching first.
Learner examples
- The company took punitive action.
- Punitive action is not always helpful.
punitive damages
1/pjˈunətɪv dˈæmɪd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
legal
Money awarded to punish
Extra money in a lawsuit meant to punish the wrongdoer.
Examples
- The jury awarded punitive damages after finding the company had acted deliberately.
- The judge reduced the punitive damages on appeal.
- Punitive damages are rare in some legal systems.
Learner examples
- The court awarded punitive damages.
- Punitive damages are meant to punish.
punitive damages
1/pjˈunətɪv dˈæmɪd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
legal
Damages meant to punish
extra money a wrongdoer must pay as punishment, not just to cover the victim’s loss.
Examples
- The jury awarded $5 million in punitive damages after finding that the company had acted recklessly.
- The plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages, arguing that the fraud was deliberate.
Learner examples
- Punitive damages are meant to punish.
- The court awarded punitive damages.
punitive measures
1/pjˈunətɪv mˈɛʒɚz/
fixed phrase
formal
Actions taken to punish
Actions or rules that punish.
Examples
- The union warned that punitive measures would damage morale.
- International leaders discussed punitive measures in response to the attack.
- The report argued for prevention rather than punitive measures.
Learner examples
- They imposed punitive measures.
- Punitive measures can discourage crime.
punitive sanctions
1/pjˈunətɪv sˈæŋkʃənz/
fixed phrase
formal
Sanctions meant to punish
Sanctions that are used as punishment.
Examples
- Several countries imposed punitive sanctions on the regime.
- The company faced punitive sanctions for repeated violations.
- Critics said the punitive sanctions hurt ordinary people more than leaders.
Learner examples
- They imposed punitive sanctions.
- Punitive sanctions can restrict trade.
punitive tariff
1/pjˈunətɪv tˈɛɹəf/
fixed phrase
business
Import tax meant to punish
A very high import tax used as punishment.
Examples
- The government threatened a punitive tariff on steel imports.
- A punitive tariff could raise prices for consumers.
- Businesses lobbied against the punitive tariff, warning of retaliation.
Learner examples
- They imposed a punitive tariff.
- A punitive tariff makes imports more expensive.
punitive tax
1/pjˈunətɪv tˈæks/
fixed phrase
formal
Tax seen as harsh punishment
A very high tax that feels like punishment.
Examples
- Opponents called it a punitive tax on homeowners.
- The proposal includes a punitive tax on single-use plastics.
- Supporters argued the punitive tax would reduce harmful behavior.
Learner examples
- They introduced a punitive tax.
- The punitive tax discouraged people from buying it.