Meanings
adverbpunitively (comparative more punitively, superlative most punitively)
comparative more punitively · superlative most punitively
- In a punitive manner.
Hospital staff or caretaking relatives may find sexual concerns humorous, disgusting, embarrassing; they are bound to react punitively to any signs of homosexuality or affectational same-sex relationship.
1983 December 10, Nancy A. F. Langer, “Different Abilities, Same Queer Pleasures”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 21, page 8
Synonyms & antonyms
adverbin a way intended to punish
Similar
punitorilypenally
Also see
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Englishpunitive
- Proto-Indo-European*leyg-
- Proto-Germanic*līką
- Englishpunitively
Cite this entry
APA
punitively. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punitively
MLA
“punitively.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punitively. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “punitively,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/punitively.
Source: punitively on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.