Synonyms of punishment

punishment

noun

ˈpə-nish-mənt 

as in penalty

suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense

he is serving five years in prison as punishment for aggravated assault

Synonyms & Similar Words

• penalty
• wrath
• sentence
• chastisement
• discipline
• castigation
• correction
• comeuppance
• condemnation
• retribution
• nemesis
• retaliation
• revenge
• reprimand
• vengeance
• desert(s)
• reprisal
• fine
• criticism
• imprisonment
• assessment
• example
• confinement
• incarceration
• damnation
• censure
• charge
• rebuke
• mulct
• denouncement
• reproof

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• parole
• indemnity
• pardon
• amnesty
• vindication
• acquittal
• exemption
• immunity
• exoneration
• impunity
• release
• exculpation
• forgiveness
• commutation
• remission
• reprieve
• absolution
• disregard
• condonation
• remitment
• overlooking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of punishment

The material included a history of Nazi Germany, reports on violence in modern Sri Lanka, documents about war in Chechnya, a book on clan cleansing in Somalia, academic reports on the Rwandan genocide and a paper on punishments used on enslaved people on 18th-century British plantations. —Megan Specia, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Pardons are typically given to provide relief to those from having a criminal punishment and or record, but Garvey supporters still feel the pardon isn’t technical enough and prefer exoneration. —Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2025

Here, clubs can lose up to £39m over a rolling three-year period before being hit with any punishment, which can include possible points deductions. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

Fearing punishment for innie escape, Mark is instead received in the office as a hero. —James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025