punitively
In punishing fashion
Punitively means in a way intended to punish or penalize.
Laws may be punitively enforced, taxes punitively raised.
The word often carries a sense of excessive or harsh punishment: The fines were punitively high, designed to discourage repeat offenses.
Something done punitively aims to inflict consequences rather than correct or rehabilitate.
Extremely harsh, especially laws
- mercilessShowing no clemency
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
- oppressiveUnjustly harsh or stifling
brutal · cruel · unsparing · vindictive · relentless · excessively · disproportionately · unfairly
Punitive response to injury
- vengeanceRetaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- comeuppanceDeserved punishment or rebuke
tit-for-tat · retribution · requital · nemesis · castigation · chastisement · vindictively · spitefully
Designed to remedy flaws
- reformativeIntended to correct flaws
- detentionTemporary official holding
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- expulsionForced permanent removal
reprimand · demotion · termination · revocation · disqualification · censure · admonishment · probationary
Punitive international restrictions
- finesMonetary sanctions or particles
- penaltiesPunishments for infractions
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
prosecution · conviction · enforcement · adjudication · damages · forfeiture · seizure · injunction
Had levy imposed
- leviedImposed by authority
- assessedDetermined value or quality
- surchargedAssessed an extra fee
- tariffedAssessed import charges
duty · excise · withholding · confiscatory · redistributive · regressive · penalized · audited
draconian
Extremely harsh, especially laws
oppressive · brutal · cruel · unsparing · vindictive · relentless · excessively · disproportionately · unfairly · heavy-handed
retaliation
Punitive response to injury
comeuppance · tit-for-tat · retribution · requital · nemesis · castigation · chastisement · vindictively · spitefully · counterstroke
corrective
Designed to remedy flaws
- reformativeIntended to correct flaws
- detentionTemporary official holding
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
expulsion · reprimand · demotion · termination · revocation · disqualification · censure · admonishment · probationary · supervisory
sanctions
Punitive international restrictions
- finesMonetary sanctions or particles
- penaltiesPunishments for infractions
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
incarceration · prosecution · conviction · enforcement · adjudication · damages · forfeiture · seizure · injunction · contempt
taxed
Had levy imposed
- leviedImposed by authority
- assessedDetermined value or quality
- surchargedAssessed an extra fee
tariffed · duty · excise · withholding · confiscatory · redistributive · regressive · penalized · audited · garnished
punitivelyleniently
With tolerance, not severity
mercifully · gently · forgivingly · tolerantly · compassionately
punitivelyrewardingly
In satisfying manner
therapeutically · constructively · supportively · encouragingly · generously
punitivelygenerously
With free-giving spirit
rewardingly · liberally · permissively · bountifully · magnanimously
- punitive measuresActions imposing penalties
- punitive damagesAward beyond actual losses
- punitive actionsConsequences meant to discipline