punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment ˈpə-nish-mənt 

1

: the act of punishing

2

a

: suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution

b

: a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure

3

: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

Synonyms of punishment

• penalty
• wrath

Examples of punishment in a Sentence

I took away my daughter's car keys as a punishment for her bad behavior.

The punishments that the government has inflicted on the protesters are severe and unjust.

The punishment for murder is life imprisonment.

Some religions teach that wicked people will suffer eternal punishment in hell after they die.

Recent Examples on the Web

Defense attorneys who represent a man who is to go to trial in Tarrant County in seven days in the strangling of a 7-year-old girl are looking ahead to the scope of testimony in the punishment phase of the death penalty case if he is found guilty. —Emerson Clarridge updated March 31, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026

When Pharaoh refused, God sent the 10 plagues to Egypt as punishment, destroying crops and livestock and afflicting the people, according to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. —Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 1 Apr. 2026

One of the defining features of Gilead is the Aunts, women dedicated to enforcing order and who dole out punishment to the girls in their care. —Alex Cramer, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026

As punishments, the girl was required to write Bible verses and tread water for as long as 45 minutes. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing punishment

• capital punishment
• corporal punishment
• cruel and unusual punishment
• glutton for punishment
• self-punishment
• sucker for punishment

Kids Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment ˈpən-ish-mənt 

1

a

: the act of punishing

b

: the state or fact of being punished

persons undergoing punishment

2

: the penalty for a fault or crime

the punishment for robbery

3

: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

Legal Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment

1

: the act of punishing

2

: a penalty (as a fine or imprisonment) inflicted on an offender through the judicial and especially criminal process see also cruel and unusual punishment