punitively C2 Topic:Describing Qualities Freq #463801 Meanings 1 adv In a way meant to punish. The fines were set punitively high to discourage offenders. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · in a way meant to punish. punishingly Etymology AI details From punitive + -ly. Topics Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # punitively **Type:** Word **Level:** C2 **Part of speech:** adv **Frequency rank:** 463801 ## Meanings 1. In a way meant to punish. ## Examples - The fines were set punitively high to discourage offenders. ## Etymology From punitive + -ly. ## AI Etymology Punitively is from punitive + -ly. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern adverbial form is built from the named base and affix. Current senses include in a way meant to punish. ## Topics - Describing Qualities - Word Formation & Derivatives markdown