Synonym Chooser

How is the word punish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of punish are castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, and discipline. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

When is castigate a more appropriate choice than punish?

Although the words castigate and punish have much in common, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When might chasten be a better fit than punish?

The meanings of chasten and punish largely overlap; however, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

In what contexts can chastise take the place of punish?

In some situations, the words chastise and punish are roughly equivalent. However, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When can correct be used instead of punish?

The words correct and punish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When would discipline be a good substitute for punish?

The words discipline and punish can be used in similar contexts, but discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punish Chung’s attorneys argue their client is one in a line of noncitizens, including Khalil and Ranjani Srinivasan, being punished by the Trump administration for speaking out in support of Palestinian rights. Taylor Romine, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025 Blackmailed by a shadowy figure, Lazarus, she’s forced by Lazarus to punish other rapists who have not been brought to justice. John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025 Even majorettes marched at sharp angles, hats tilted over our right eyebrows; we were punished for cracking a smile. The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Dana Edwards/Reuters President Donald Trump has made good on his threats to punish and investigate colleges. Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish
Verb
  • Four Formula One teams - Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, and Aston Martin, were penalized by the FIA for late arrival in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend due to logistical challenges, forcing teams to break the revised curfew.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Former President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, included a provision that penalized pharmaceutical companies which raised Medicare drug prices faster than inflation.
    Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Look at Joshua Browder’s DoNotPay—the FTC fined them for overpromising.
    Hessie Jones, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • In the proxy, Citigroup cited the decision by the Fed and OCC to fine the bank $136 million for failing to fix longstanding data issues, and said the bank has acknowledged not having made progress quickly enough.
    Tatiana Bautzer, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a 1907 essay, the writer Ito Sakon criticized the idea of escaping the hot urban summer, instead presenting the heat as an opportunity for self-improvement.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 23 Mar. 2025
  • But McGregor faces an uphill task to get his name on the ballot as few Irish lawmakers share his vehement anti-immigrant views, and many publicly criticized him after the civil case last November.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Importantly, Duffy is self-aware, frequently acknowledging his fears or chastising himself for bonehead moves.
    Claude Peck, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The two-term U.S. president has been highly critical of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, chastising the Ukrainian leader on social media and in a dramatic Oval Office clash.
    USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The next day, Baker was sentenced to 65 years in prison.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • He was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
    Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In late 2023, Charlie was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and solicitation of first-degree murder, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.
    Emily Krauser, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
  • More: Derek Chauvin, convicted in George Floyd’s murder, stabbed in prison The Bear State native, who retired from the lumber business, remains torn about what unfolded during the May 25, 2020, incident which reminded the country of its racial wounds.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This behavior is not protected, but existing policies allow universities to discipline such actions without infringing on the speech rights of peaceful protesters.
    Bastiaan Vanacker, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Companies that are forced to be disciplined from the start tend to develop stronger, more enduring business models.
    Taarini Kaur Dang, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The station was damaged after its launch, forcing NASA to delay launching the crew and to map out and practice procedures for correcting Skylab’s problems.
    Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
  • This is a company that after several years of underperformance has finally corrected its issues, but which the Street is not yet ready to trust.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Punish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punish. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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