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
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
Rivers told reporters that the risk of the appeal being unsuccessful and the suspension then ending later in the season was too great of a risk, even if the team disagreed with the severity of the punishment.
—
Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
In fact, most international relations literature on cooperation finds a key role for enforcement mechanisms, assurance, and threats of punishment.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
The State Supreme Court ruled last year that death by firing squad was a legal form of punishment even though it is largely viewed as an archaic form of justice that, according to polls, many Americans believe to be inhumane.
—Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
What’s more, school punishment echoes—and exacerbates—historic racial injustice.
—Aaron Kupchik, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Eric Nehm, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
In fact, most international relations literature on cooperation finds a key role for enforcement mechanisms, assurance, and threats of punishment.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
The State Supreme Court ruled last year that death by firing squad was a legal form of punishment even though it is largely viewed as an archaic form of justice that, according to polls, many Americans believe to be inhumane.
—Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
What’s more, school punishment echoes—and exacerbates—historic racial injustice.
—Aaron Kupchik, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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