pu ‧ ni ‧ tive /ˈpjuːnətɪv, ˈpjuːnɪtɪv/ BrE AmE adjective [usually before noun]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ punishable , ↑ punishing , ↑ unpunished , ↑ punitive ; verb : ↑ punish ; noun : ↑ punishment ]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: punitif , from Medieval Latin punitivus , from Latin punire ; ⇨ ↑ punish ]
1 . intended to punish someone
punitive action/measures etc
The agency sent a letter, but took no punitive action.
The jury awarded punitive damages (=money paid to someone who is the victim of a crime) .
The government is expected to take punitive steps against offenders.
2 . punitive taxes/price increases etc taxes etc that are so high that it is difficult for people to pay them:
The US could impose punitive tariffs on exports.