punitively
/ˈpjuːnətɪvli/
adverb
- In a way that punishes or is intended to punish, especially severely or harshly.
- The contract included punitively high late fees for any missed payment.
- Some schools have been criticized for responding punitively to minor student misbehavior.
- The court acted punitively, imposing the maximum fine for the offense.
- In a way that is extremely high or severe, often causing hardship (used especially of costs, taxes, or conditions).
- The drought punitively affected farmers, destroying most of their crops.
- Interest rates on that credit card are punitively high, making it hard to pay off debt.
- The new tariffs were punitively expensive for small import businesses.
Antonyms