CORRECTIONAL Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

correctional

adjective

Definition of correctional

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment threatened to take correctional measures if the household chores were not done the state's largest correctional institution

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of correctional Corrections officials wanted to reduce a correctional officer’s pay by 5% for roughly 30 weeks after he was accused of using force against an inmate and failing to report a colleague’s use of force in two January 2024 incidents. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026 Florida hasn’t executed more than one person in a single day since 1964, according to the state’s correctional records. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 26 July 2026 An hour and a half later, a correctional officer from Montana nabbed 49-year-old Sophie Dennison-Gibby. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 In 2018, immigrants held at a California correctional center sued ICE over religious freedom violations, inadequate conditions, and due-process violations. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026 An inmate in Lansing, Kansas, was sentenced to almost five years in prison Wednesday after attempting to injure two correctional officers with a broomstick. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026 Armand has been serving his up to 20-year prison sentence at a Nevada correctional center since 2021. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026 Decades of correctional research have consistently shown that maintaining family connections is one of the strongest predictors of successful reentry and lower rates of recidivism. — Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 In addition, officials are actively looking to fill approximately 80 correctional officer vacancies. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for correctional

Adjective

The resulting turn toward more punitive security policies makes slower institutional reform harder to sustain.

— Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026
The American-Saudi response, punitive in its immediate purpose, must also be understood as an effort to break Iran’s grip on the strait.

— Bobby Ghosh, Time, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of punitive

Adjective

The facilities will stay closed until the review is complete and any corrective actions are addressed.

— CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which did not respond to The Bee’s inquiry, typically monitors corrective actions and audit reports.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of corrective

Browse Nearby Words

correction

correctional

corrections

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“Correctional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/correctional. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of correctional

adjective

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