pu·ni·tive 
/ˈpju:nətɪv/ adjective
/ˈpju:nətɪv/ adjective 1 : intended to punish someone or something
▪ The federal government will take punitive action against the company that polluted the river. ▪ punitive measures ▪ The plaintiff will receive $50,000 in compensatory damages and $300,000 in punitive damages. [=money that someone is ordered to pay as a punishment for causing harm] 2 [more punitive; most punitive] : extremely or unfairly severe or high
▪ Lobbyists complain that the bill would impose punitive taxes on the industry.
▪ The federal government will take punitive action against the company that polluted the river. ▪ punitive measures ▪ The plaintiff will receive $50,000 in compensatory damages and $300,000 in punitive damages. [=money that someone is ordered to pay as a punishment for causing harm]
▪ Lobbyists complain that the bill would impose punitive taxes on the industry.
— pu·ni·tive·ly adverb
