punishing 1 of 2

punishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of punish

Examples 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 punishing
Verb
The economy lies in ruins—a shadow of its prewar self, crippled by years of catastrophic conflict, entrenched corruption, and punishing international sanctions. Karam Shaar, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2024 The ghost explains that for the past 30 years John has been punishing his arteries with lousy food choices, resulting in the beginning stages of atherosclerosis — clogging of his arteries. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 19 Dec. 2024 Companies currying favor have been replaced with those reacting to a climate of fear—of punishing lawsuits, of punitive regulatory reactions—fear that democracy is being replaced by a kind of klepto-feudalism. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024 The snowfall is accompanied by punishing cold temperatures and gusty winds. Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 Many companies will report strong quarterly growth with a weak (or even modestly positive) outlook but scratch their head as to why the market is punishing the stock. Cody Slach, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 Others walk several hours each way, often across rough terrain, leaving them vulnerable to punishing weather and even violence. Cynthia Tully, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 The conflict between those two impulses helps explain the difficult struggle to reform US health care and the history of voters punishing politicians who do try to change the system. Dylan Scott, Vox, 6 Dec. 2024 The athletes raised several types of objections, including that the settlement appears to violate state laws that forbid the NCAA or a conference from punishing a college for offering athletes compensation for their NIL. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishing
Adjective
  • Companies currying favor have been replaced with those reacting to a climate of fear—of punishing lawsuits, of punitive regulatory reactions—fear that democracy is being replaced by a kind of klepto-feudalism.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
  • However, an essential element is missing regarding student enforcement: eliminating punitive measures, such as suspensions, in favor of more supportive interventions.
    Nia Hayes and Allyssa Williams, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • An early version of the off-label drug bill would have required pharmacists to fill those prescriptions and barred licensing boards from disciplining providers based on their use of off-label drugs.
    Haley BeMiller, The Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2024
  • Federal regulators found Starbucks repeatedly violated labor laws by disciplining and firing workers involved in unionizing activity, shutting down stores and stalling contract negotiations.
    Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Finally, Assad’s fall has fueled domestic discontent among loyalists to the regime in Tehran, with some calling the loss a strategic blunder and openly criticizing the government on state television.
    Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
  • While most have become accustomed and perhaps even oblivious to McGregor’s online rants, openly criticizing a business partner is a little dicey.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • However, Mercury also will retrograde through your fourth house of home and family from November 18 to 29, revealing misalignments in your personal life that need correcting.
    Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 23 Dec. 2024
  • Researchers showed, for the first time, that an error-correcting technique essential for quantum computers really does work.
    Bill Andrews, Quanta Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near punishing

Cite this Entry

“Punishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishing. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

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