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.

Smith removed the post, accepted the charges against him and, after receiving his punishment, sent a letter of apology to Alphonsi.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

But instead of ending capital punishment in the United States, the Furman decision set off a scramble in which states reenacted their death penalty laws in the hope of curing the problem Justice Douglas identified.

From Slate • Jun. 8, 2026

“The punishment should fit the offense. You’d agree with that, right?”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

Thursday’s nine-year ban by the Insolvency Service, a government agency that investigates failed companies, is the first formal punishment of the Australian financier over the bankruptcy of Greensill Capital.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

I wonder what they'll do today without me—if Malli will be scared to walk past the punishment block on her own and what Bedi Ma'am will teach.

From "Born Behind Bars" by Padma Venkatraman

Vocabulary lists containing punishment

Psychology

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"Nadia the Willful"

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The House of Hades

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