punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment ˈpə-nish-mənt 

1

: the act of punishing

2

a

: suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution

b

: a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure

3

: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

Synonyms

• castigation
• chastisement
• comeuppance
• correction
• desert(s)
• discipline
• nemesis
• penalty
• wrath

Examples of punishment in a Sentence

I took away my daughter's car keys as a punishment for her bad behavior.

The punishments that the government has inflicted on the protesters are severe and unjust.

The punishment for murder is life imprisonment.

Some religions teach that wicked people will suffer eternal punishment in hell after they die.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 7-year-old alleged their hands had been duct taped behind their back at one point and said they and their siblings were hit with a belt as a punishment. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

While the threshold for proving defamation is high, requiring proof that an outlet knowingly published false information, even if a lawsuit is tossed by a judge or a media outlet ultimately prevails, the punishment is in the process. —Hadas Gold, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

These Latino families have an answer ‎ Taliban affirms that stoning will be punishment for adulterers — especially women ‎ RFK Jr. is not alone. —Marc Silver, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024

Trump stands by tariffs On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly promised to impose tariffs on countries that build their factories outside the U.S. or as a means of punishment against nations that allow immigrants to enter the U.S. illegally. —Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing punishment

• capital punishment
• corporal punishment
• cruel and unusual punishment
• glutton for punishment
• self-punishment
• sucker for punishment

Kids Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment ˈpən-ish-mənt 

1

a

: the act of punishing

b

: the state or fact of being punished

persons undergoing punishment

2

: the penalty for a fault or crime

the punishment for robbery

3

: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

Legal Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment

1

: the act of punishing

2

: a penalty (as a fine or imprisonment) inflicted on an offender through the judicial and especially criminal process see also cruel and unusual punishment