punitive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
George Gascón, who eliminated cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies and championed rehabilitation over punitive sentencing.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
He added that education, rather than "punitive punishment", is the solution to children displaying discriminatory behaviour where it comes from a "lack of understanding and without intention to offend".
From BBC • May 26, 2026
To your point: This rather punitive tax structure encourages grantors — again, that’s you — to distribute income to beneficiaries rather than retain that income, which is then compressed into higher tax brackets.
From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026
“This is not a punitive thing, it’s just something that’s ongoing,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
A compassionate, humane approach to the problems of the urban poor must replace the punitive practices and policies that have multiplied the harms associated with poverty and racial oppression.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Vocabulary lists containing punitive
This Week in Words: September 15 - 21, 2018
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Just Mercy
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Auggie & Me
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