What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dispunitive
Example
The restorative justice program takes a dispunitive approach to juvenile offenders. [dispunitive: adjective]
Example
The school's disciplinary policy focuses on dispunitive measures such as counseling and mediation. [dispunitive: noun]
punitive
Example
The judge handed down a punitive sentence to the convicted felon. [punitive: adjective]
Example
The company implemented a punitive measure of docking pay for employees who arrive late. [punitive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Punitive is more commonly used than dispunitive in everyday language. Punitive is a familiar term that is often used in legal, educational, and social contexts. On the other hand, dispunitive is less common and may be unfamiliar to some people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dispunitive and punitive?
Both dispunitive and punitive can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, dispunitive may be perceived as more formal or academic due to its relative rarity and specialized meaning.
