penal
[adjective]
Synonyms: disciplinary, corrective, punitive

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

pe‧nal /ˈpiːnl/ adjective
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: pénal, from Latin poenalis, from poena 'punishment']

1. [only before noun] relating to the legal punishment of criminals, especially in prisons:
the penal system
penal colony/settlement (=a special area of land where prisoners are kept)

2. penal servitude law when someone is punished by being kept in prison and made to do hard physical work

3. British English very severe:
penal rates of interest

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲