punitively
gb/pjˈunɪtɪvli/ us/pjˈunɪtɪvli/
C1
Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
in a way that punishes
in a way that is meant to punish
Padrão de uso:
treat/discipline/sentence/fine [someone] punitively
Erro comum:
Do not confuse with "punctually" or "pugnaciously"; "punitively" relates to punishment.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
leniently (Opposite approach: not strict or harsh in punishing.)
|
mercifully (Shows compassion instead of punishment.)
Colocações
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
Temas
law
|crime
|education
|rules
|conflict
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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)
Padrão de uso:
be punitively high/expensive/long/strict
Erro comum:
Often used with adjectives like "high" or "expensive"; it does not mean "positively" or "helpfully."
Sinónimos
prohibitively (Common for costs/requirements that effectively prevent something; less about 'punishment' feeling.)
|
exorbitantly (Emphasizes excessive cost, without the 'punishment' implication.)
Antónimos
reasonably (Not excessive; within a fair level.)
|
affordably (Low enough in cost to pay without hardship.)
Colocações
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
Temas
money
|business
|time
|daily_life
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The rent is punitively high here.
- Tickets were punitively expensive.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
punitively
IPA
GB/pjˈunɪtɪvli/
US/pjˈunɪtɪvli/
Sílabas e acento
pun - it - ively (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (pun)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: punitively
- Plural: punitivelies
Família de palavras
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
Expressões
punitively expensive
1/pjˈunɪtɪvli ɪkspˈɛnsɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely expensive, like punishment
so expensive it feels unfair
Exemplos
- 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)
Exemplos
- 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
Exemplos
- 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
Exemplos
- 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.