PUNITIVE: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for PUNITIVE?

Need another word that means the same as “punitive”? Find 20 synonyms and 30 related words for “punitive” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Punitive” are: punitory, penal, disciplinary, corrective, correctional, retributive, harsh, severe, stiff, austere, cruel, savage, stringent, burdensome, demanding, draconian, drastic, swingeing, crushing, crippling

Punitive as an Adjective

Definitions of "Punitive" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “punitive” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Inflicting or intended as punishment.
• (of a tax or other charge) extremely high.
• Inflicting punishment.

Synonyms of "Punitive" as an adjective (20 Words)

austere	Severe or strict in manner or attitude. The cathedral is impressive in its austere simplicity.
burdensome	Not easily borne; wearing. The burdensome task of preparing the income tax return.
correctional	Relating to the punishment of criminals in a way intended to rectify their behaviour. A correctional institution.
corrective	Designed to correct or counteract something harmful or undesirable. The teacher s action was corrective rather than instructional.
crippling	Causing a severe and almost insuperable problem. A crippling injury.
cruel	Causing pain or suffering. People who are cruel to animals.
crushing	Physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination. Bone crushing.
demanding	(of a person) making others work hard or meet high standards; not easily satisfied. He was a demanding baby and rarely slept through the night.
disciplinary	Relating to a specific field of academic study. A soldier will face disciplinary action after going absent without leave.
draconian	(of laws or their application) excessively harsh and severe. The Nazis destroyed the independence of the press by a series of draconian laws.
drastic	Forceful and extreme and rigorous. A drastic reduction of staffing levels.
harsh	Of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles. The harsh white light makes you screw up your eyes.
penal	Subject to punishment by law. The juvenile was sentenced to six months in a penal institution.
punitory	Inflicting punishment.
retributive	Given or inflicted in requital according to merits or deserts. Retributive justice.
savage	Able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering. The decision was a savage blow for the town.
severe	Severely simple. A hefty six footer with a rather severe mien.
stiff	(of a person or their manner) not relaxed or friendly; constrained. A stiff neck.
stringent	(of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting. Stringent safety measures.
swingeing	Severe or extreme in size, amount, or effect. Swingeing damages awarded by the judge.

Usage Examples of "Punitive" as an adjective

• A current punitive interest rate of 31.3 per cent.
• He called for punitive measures against the Eastern bloc.
• Punitive damages.
• Punitive justice.

Associations of "Punitive" (30 Words)

allegation	A formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law. An allegation of malpractice.
arraign	Accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy. Her sister was arraigned on charges of attempted murder.
castigation	Verbal punishment.
commit	Refer a parliamentary or legislative bill to a committee. After the second episode she had to be committed.
complicity	The fact or condition of being involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong. They were accused of complicity in the attempt to overthrow the government.
confession	The religious body or Church sharing a confession of faith. His words are a political confession of faith.
conspiracy	A group of conspirators banded together to achieve some harmful or illegal purpose. A conspiracy to destroy the government.
conviction	A formal declaration by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law that someone is guilty of a criminal offence. The conviction came as no surprise.
execution	Putting a condemned person to death. The film is entirely professional in its execution.
felony	A serious crime (such as murder or arson. An accusation of felony.
illicit	Forbidden by law, rules, or custom. Illicit sex.
indict	Accuse formally of a crime. His former manager was indicted for fraud.
justice	A public official authorized to decide questions brought before a court of justice. The justice of his case.
law	The branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do. A new law was passed to make divorce easier and simpler.
malfeasance	Wrongful conduct by a public official.
malpractice	Professional wrongdoing that results in injury or damage. Victims of medical malpractice.
misdemeanor	A crime less serious than a felony.
offence	A feeling of anger caused by being offended. The new offence of obtaining property by deception.
penal	Subject to punishment by law. Avoid borrowing at penal rates of interest.
penalize	Subject to a penalty or punishment. Section twenty penalizes possession of a firearm when trespassing.
penalty	A payment required for not fulfilling a contract. The charge carries a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment.
perjury	Criminal offense of making false statements under oath. He claimed two witnesses at his trial had committed perjury.
punish	Impose a penalty on inflict punishment on. Fraudulent acts would be punished by up to two years in prison.
punishment	The act of punishing. Crime demands just punishment.
retributive	Given or inflicted in requital according to merits or deserts. Retributive justice.
suspicion	Doubt about someone’s honesty. He tried to shield me from suspicion.
threat	Declaration of an intention or a determination to inflict harm on another. His threat to kill me was quite explicit.
trial	Of a horse dog or other animal compete in trials. His mother in law s visits were a great trial for him.
turpitude	A corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice. The various turpitudes of modern society.
violator	Someone who assaults others sexually. A curse pronounced over the violators of children.