punitiveness
Desire to penalize
Punitiveness is the quality of being inclined toward punishment or harsh penalties.
It describes a disposition—in people, policies, or institutions—that emphasizes retribution over rehabilitation or mercy: The punitiveness of the justice system has drawn criticism from reform advocates.
A punitive parent or punitive sentencing guidelines both display punitiveness.
Uncompromising strictness of manner
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- strictnessInflexibility in enforcement
- severityIntensity of sternness
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
unyielding · toughness · rigidity · intolerance · stringency · draconian · authoritarian · unforgiving
Retaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- comeuppanceDeserved punishment or rebuke
requital · tit-for-tat · vindictiveness · getting even · score-settling · revenge · nemesis · just deserts
Fixing of mistakes
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
obedience · conformity · control · spanking · expulsion · suspension · detention · grounding
Imposing legal punishment
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- imprisonmentLegal detention in jail
- convictionFirmly held belief
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
sanction · fine · forfeiture · probation · parole · correctional · detention · mandatory minimums
Sudden strict enforcement
- clampdownHarsh enforcement of restrictions
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- discouragementLoss of confidence
prevention · warning · disincentive · cautionary · dissuasion
sternness
Uncompromising strictness of manner
- rigorStrict, thorough precision
- strictnessInflexibility in enforcement
- severityIntensity of sternness
inflexibility · unyielding · toughness · rigidity · intolerance · stringency · draconian · authoritarian · unforgiving · merciless
vengeance
Retaliation for injury
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
comeuppance · requital · tit-for-tat · vindictiveness · getting even · score-settling · revenge · nemesis · just deserts
correction
Fixing of mistakes
- enforcementCompelling compliance with rules
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
supervision · obedience · conformity · control · spanking · expulsion · suspension · detention · grounding · consequences
sentencing
Imposing legal punishment
- incarcerationConfinement in jail
- imprisonmentLegal detention in jail
- convictionFirmly held belief
prosecution · sanction · fine · forfeiture · probation · parole · correctional · detention · mandatory minimums · solitary confinement
crackdown
Sudden strict enforcement
- clampdownHarsh enforcement of restrictions
- repressionUnconscious blocking of thoughts
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
discouragement · prevention · warning · disincentive · cautionary · dissuasion
punitivenessmercy
Compassion toward offenders
leniency · forgiveness · clemency · compassion · pardon
punitivenessgentleness
Soft, kind demeanor
leniency · mildness · softness · permissiveness · indulgence
punitivenessmercifulness
Compassionate treatment of offenders
gentleness · kindness · benevolence · understanding · soft-heartedness
punish, penalty, punishment, punishing, penance, penitence, punitive, repent, impunity