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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of punishment

Rahm Emanuel is calling for defense firms that miss deadlines and increase costs to be forbidden from bidding on new military contracts as a punishment. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024

The book’s long-story-by-the-fire quality, combined with its fairy-tale deployment of castles, unfair punishments, and the thrumming, powerful natural world, evokes the most affecting children’s literature. —Amanda Parrish Morgan, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2024

What's New President Biden has commuted the , converting their punishments to life in prison without the possibility of parole. —Sophie Clark, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Swiatek had only eight days remaining on the punishment, after she was provisionally suspended from Sept. 12 to Oct. 4 and missed three tournaments. —Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024