punitive tax

Meaning

1. 1nouncountablespecialistformal

   A tax set at a high rate in order to punish or discourage a particular activity or behavior.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'a punitive tax' or 'punitive taxes'. Often followed by 'on' plus the activity being punished.

   Patterns

   • a punitive tax on something
   • impose a punitive tax
   • punitive taxes on something

   The government introduced a punitive tax on sugary drinks to improve public health.

   Some economists argue that a punitive tax on carbon would cut emissions faster than voluntary schemes.

   Companies that pollute rivers may face a punitive tax under the new law.

Word forms

Common combinations

impose a punitive tax

Lawmakers voted to impose a punitive tax on single-use plastics.

a punitive tax on something

There is a punitive tax on tobacco in many countries.

pay a punitive tax

Wealthy individuals may have to pay a punitive tax if they hide assets abroad.

introduce a punitive tax

The city introduced a punitive tax on empty homes.

Synonyms and how they differ

penal tax

Very similar, but 'penal tax' is rarer and often refers to a tax imposed as a legal penalty; 'punitive tax' is the more common phrase in news and policy writing.

sin tax

A type of punitive tax on items like alcohol or tobacco; 'sin tax' is informal and narrower, while 'punitive tax' can apply to any discouraged activity.

Word family

punitive adjective

Intended as a punishment; 'punitive tax' is one common collocation.

punish verb

To make someone suffer for doing something wrong; the root verb behind 'punitive'.

punishment noun

A penalty imposed for an offense; the general noun.

Commonly confused: punitive tax or punctuation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “punitive tax”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words