punitive
Meant to punish someone.
Intended to punish someone, especially by imposing a penalty, hardship, or disadvantage.
Very harsh or severe, like a punishment.
So severe that it feels like a punishment, even if punishment is not the stated purpose.
- Base: punitive
punitive action
1Action taken to punish
Do something to punish someone.
- 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.
- The company took punitive action.
- Punitive action is not always helpful.
punitive damages
1Money awarded to punish
Extra money in a lawsuit meant to punish the wrongdoer.
- 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.
- The court awarded punitive damages.
- Punitive damages are meant to punish.
punitive damages
1Damages meant to punish
extra money a wrongdoer must pay as punishment, not just to cover the victim’s loss.
- 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.
- Punitive damages are meant to punish.
- The court awarded punitive damages.
punitive measures
1Actions taken to punish
Actions or rules that punish.
- 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.
- They imposed punitive measures.
- Punitive measures can discourage crime.
punitive sanctions
1Sanctions meant to punish
Sanctions that are used as punishment.
- 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.
- They imposed punitive sanctions.
- Punitive sanctions can restrict trade.
punitive tariff
1Import tax meant to punish
A very high import tax used as punishment.
- 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.
- They imposed a punitive tariff.
- A punitive tariff makes imports more expensive.
punitive tax
1Tax seen as harsh punishment
A very high tax that feels like punishment.
- 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.
- They introduced a punitive tax.
- The punitive tax discouraged people from buying it.