Understanding Punitive Measures: Definition, Examples, and Purpose

Punitive refers to something that is intended to punish or penalize someone for their actions. It can also refer to a punishment or penalty that is imposed as a form of retribution or deterrence.

For example, a court might impose a punitive fine on someone who has been found guilty of a crime, in order to punish them and deter others from committing similar offenses. Similarly, a company might impose punitive damages on someone who has violated their terms of service, in order to discourage others from engaging in similar behavior.

In general, the goal of punitive measures is to inflict some kind of negative consequence on someone who has done something wrong, in order to teach them a lesson and prevent them from doing it again.