comminatory

9.9

A warning of punishment to frighten people who break rules

adjective
/ˌkɒmɪˈneɪtəri/

Archaic

: cominatorio

These laws are comminatory rather than actually enforced, serving to intimidate potential offenders.

Examples

The king issued a comminatory edict to deter rebellion among his subjects.
The priest spoke in a comminatory tone, warning of the consequences of sin.
This is a comminatory warning.
The comminatory letter warned them of severe consequences.
The king issued a comminatory edict to deter rebellion among his subjects.
The priest spoke in a comminatory tone, warning of the consequences of sin.
These laws are comminatory, intended to intimidate potential offenders.

Synonyms

denunciative

vscomminatory

9.3

Showing strong disapproval and warning of punishment

is focused on language and documents rather than applying to actions

denunciatory

vscomminatory

9.8

Showing strong criticism and warning of punishment for bad actions

is more about warning of punishment rather than moral condemnation

damnatory

vscomminatory

Literature

9.9

Showing very strong disapproval and saying someone deserves punishment

is primarily about warning of punishment rather than moral condemnation

How Threatening

comminatory

Archaic

9.9

menacing

1 5.0

threatening

65 3.6

warning

1.0

cautionary

34 5.6

Surface Forms

comminatory positive

Morphology

comminatory = comminate (semi-transparent) = com + min + atory

The adjective is directly formed from the verb 'comminate' (to threaten) with a regular adjectival suffix, but both the verb and the combining element 'min-' are rare, so the relation may not be obvious to average learners.

Etymology

The word comminatory comes from Latin parts com- ('with') and minari ('to threaten') and is related to the simple English word menace. So a comminatory statement is basically a warning that threatens punishment.