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.
The past three months have shown that rather than being too punitive, it wasn’t punitive enough.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026
He has demanded both compensatory damages to redress his own harms as well as punitive damages “to deter future unconstitutional conduct.”
From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026
The tech sector has largely supported Anthropic in the wake of the punitive measures.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
Jobcentre users I've spoken to have painted a picture of them as frightening, punitive environments, where people are told what they must do, or face losing their benefits.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 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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