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

Thailand has strict gun laws, which punishes the illegal possession of arms with up to 10 years in jail.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

Any system that constricts teachers—holds them to small-bore metrics, punishes them for forces outside their control, discourages their creativity and spontaneity, chips away at their humanity—is a bad system.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

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