punishes

VERB

penalize for wrongdoing

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abuse chastise correct crack down on discipline dismiss execute expel fine harm hurt incarcerate sentence

STRONG

batter beat blacklist castigate chasten cuff debar defrock exile flog immure injure lash lecture maltreat misuse oppress paddle reprove scourge spank switch train whip

WEAK

attend to beat up do in give a going over give the works knock about rap knuckles rough up slap wrist teach a lesson throw the book at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist benefit compliment help preserve welcome

STRONG

boost guard lose praise protect surrender

WEAK

award exonerate let go reward

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.

See Examples For:

punishes

If the North punishes the POWs' families and word spreads, it "could provoke unrest among the families of other soldiers", he said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

“The same rate hike that helps a CD also punishes anyone carrying a credit-card balance.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

To recap: Purcell punishes a plaintiff in voting cases for being too late to court.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

Telegram Chief Executive Pavel Durov said on X that the ban punishes the app’s more than 150 million users in India over the actions of a few.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

The walk home is a steep one, and I wonder if it’s yet another way she punishes herself.

From "Every Day" by David Levithan