excessive punishment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excessive punishment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a punishment that is considered too harsh or severe for the offense committed. Example: "The court deemed the sentence to be excessive punishment, given the circumstances of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

This seems an excessive punishment for a literary gesture.

The Guardian - Books

Her lawyers argue that the Nassau law is unconstitutionally vague and amounts to excessive punishment.

The New York Times

In fact, California's problem is not excessive crime, but excessive punishment.

The New York Times

Stripping medals or blocking someone from competing seems an excessive punishment for a few Twitter posts.

The New York Times - Sports

It's an extremely excessive punishment, there was not enough evidence and I have seen more aggressive incidents recently.

The Guardian - Sport

The coma was caused by swelling, not (as it invariably is in cases of excessive punishment) by haemorrhage.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's not that the court is insensitive to excessive punishments.

The New York Times

The delineation of such guidelines to protect against "unfrugal" or excessive punishments is indicative of his attempt to be as comprehensive and as exact as possible while attending to practicalities.

SEP

Juan Frío was the seat of the local paramilitary boss, who was known for excessive punishments he meted out to those who disobeyed him.

Vice

He added that if he had known about excessive corporal punishment, "I would have said something".

The New York Times

The judge ruled that Linda, Shawna's stepmother, used "excessive corporal punishment" and that Carl failed to take "appropriate action".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "excessive punishment" to describe penalties that are disproportionate to the offense, violate human rights, or are unusually cruel.

Common error

Avoid labeling every punishment you disagree with as "excessive punishment". Distinguish between penalties you find personally distasteful and those that are legally or ethically disproportionate to the crime.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive punishment" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "excessive" modifies the noun "punishment". It typically serves to describe a situation or express an opinion about the appropriateness of a penalty, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excessive punishment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a penalty disproportionate to the offense. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news, legal, and academic contexts to express disapproval of unduly harsh penalties. While generally neutral in tone, the term's formality can vary. When using the phrase, ensure the punishment is ethically or legally disproportionate to the crime. Consider using alternatives like "disproportionate penalty" or "unduly harsh penalty" for nuanced emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disproportionate penalty

Focuses on the imbalance between the crime and the resulting consequence.

unduly harsh penalty

Highlights the unfair severity of the sanction.

overly severe sanction

Emphasizes the extreme nature of the punitive measure.

unjustified penalty

Indicates that the punishment lacks a fair or reasonable basis.

inordinate penalty

Suggests that the sanction exceeds what is normal or appropriate.

unmerited punishment

Highlights that the penalty is undeserved.

extreme penalty

Emphasizes the radical or exceptional nature of the sanction.

unconscionable sentence

Focuses on the severity of a court ruling.

draconian measure

Implies harshness and severity, often in the context of laws or regulations.

overkill

Informal term denoting the action is much more than is needed or appropriate.

FAQs

How to use "excessive punishment" in a sentence?

You can use "excessive punishment" to describe a penalty that is disproportionate to the offense. For example, "Many felt that a life sentence was "a disproportionate penalty" for stealing a loaf of bread."

What can I say instead of "excessive punishment"?

You can use alternatives like "unduly harsh penalty", "overly severe sanction", or "disproportionate penalty" depending on the context.

What makes a punishment "excessive"?

A punishment is considered "excessive" when it is disproportionate to the crime committed, violates legal or ethical standards, or is unusually cruel and inhumane. Factors include the severity of the crime, the intent of the perpetrator, and the potential for rehabilitation.

Is "excessive punishment" a legal term?

Yes, "excessive punishment" is a concept recognized in legal contexts, often related to the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishments. Courts assess whether a punishment is "excessive" by considering evolving standards of decency and proportionality.