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punitivo

punitive, disciplinary

adjective poo-nee-TEE-voh Rare

Origin: From Latin punitivus, from punire (to punish).

Usage Note

Punitivo describes measures, actions, or expeditions intended to punish: misure punitive ('punitive measures'), spedizione punitiva ('punitive expedition'). The latter phrase carries a strong historical resonance in Italian, referring to Fascist-era squad violence. In modern usage it appears mainly in legal and journalistic contexts.

Examples

"Il governo ha adottato misure punitive contro i trasgressori."

Natural Translation

The government adopted punitive measures against the offenders.

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