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Penal vs Punitive - What's the difference?

penal | punitive |

As adjectives the difference between penal and punitive

is that penal is of or relating to punishment while punitive is inflicting punishment, punishing.

penal

English

Alternative forms

* * * (l) (obsolete) * (archaic) * (obsolete)

Adjective

(-)
  • Of or relating to punishment.
  • penal servitude
  • Subject to punishment; punishable.
  • a penal offence
  • Serving as a place of punishment.
  • a penal colony

    Anagrams

    * ----

    punitive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (legal, military) inflicting punishment, punishing
  • Washington imposed punitive sanctions on Syria.
    The jury awarded $10,000 in punitive damages.