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

• castigation
• chastisement
• comeuppance
• correction
• desert(s)
• discipline
• nemesis
• 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

The firm warns Trump’s punishments of firms could diminish the independence of lawyers and force them to embrace viewpoints of whichever group happens to hold governmental power. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Jason Rogers, a sixth-grade teacher in the Underwood School District, was charged with malicious punishment of a child, according to court documents. —Ingrid Harbo, Twin Cities, 27 Mar. 2025

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in Davis' case, which is now moving on to the punishment phase. —Chris Spargo, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Here’s how: Normalize Learning from Mistakes: High performers thrive in cultures where feedback is a tool for growth, not punishment. —Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

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