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