Definitions

punishment

[puhn-ish-muhnt] / ˈpʌn ɪʃ mənt /

NOUN

penalty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abuse beating discipline forfeiture retribution sanction suffering torture trial

STRONG

amercement castigation chastening chastisement comeuppance confiscation correction deprivation forfeit gallows infliction lumps maltreatment mortification mulct ostracism pain penance proof purgatory reparation rod sequestration unhappiness victimization

WEAK

disciplinary action hard work punitive measures rough treatment short shrift what for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

award happiness reward

STRONG

indulgence

WEAK

encouragement exoneration praise protection

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Punishment is when a parent acts out of a fear response whereas discipline is more thoughtful.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Punishment for that kind of act, which the BBC is unable to verify, would be severe.

From BBC • May 31, 2025

Punishment reflects who we are and who we want to be.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2025

At its heart is the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, drawn up in the aftermath of World War II and the Holocaust.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2024

Beneath it an elderly, round-faced woman sat reading Crime and Punishment.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Vocabulary lists containing punishment

Psychology

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"Nadia the Willful"

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The House of Hades

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