What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
castigatory
Example
The teacher gave the student a castigatory lecture for not completing their homework. [castigatory: adjective]
Example
The company implemented a castigatory policy to discourage employees from arriving late. [castigatory: noun]
punitive
Example
The judge imposed a punitive fine on the defendant for their illegal activities. [punitive: adjective]
Example
The government implemented punitive measures to combat tax evasion. [punitive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Punitive is more commonly used than castigatory in everyday language. Punitive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while castigatory is less common and often used in more formal or specialized settings.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between castigatory and punitive?
While castigatory is typically associated with a more formal tone, punitive can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
