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.

For many targets of SEC enforcement, including those who are innocent, this process is the punishment.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Sick of the punishment the Thunder were dishing out, he may or may not have urged his teammates to return the favor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said on Friday she was "sickened" by the case, adding: "The crime could hardly be graver, yet the punishment was no punishment at all."

From BBC • May 24, 2026

Smith, a dispute over capital punishment that was poised to be one of the most important cases of the term.

From Slate • May 23, 2026

“Good, because while you got away without punishment this time, next time you won’t be so lucky,” Dad warns.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Vocabulary lists containing punishment

Psychology

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"Nadia the Willful"

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The House of Hades

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