DISCIPLINARY Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

disciplinary

adjective

ˈdi-sə-plə-ˌner-ē

Definition of disciplinary

as in punitive

inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment called for disciplinary actions in response to the outrageous behavior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disciplinary The sanctions include referring one of the president’s lawyers to the Florida Bar for possible disciplinary action. — Garrett Downs,karen James Sloan,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026 Smith suggested there was no disciplinary action from the team. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The backpedaling comes just weeks after an I-Team investigation showed contention over the disciplinary process. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026 Willian, another player listed in the disciplinary charges, wasn’t too shabby, either. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disciplinary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciplinary

Adjective

Train and reframe the narrative to show that surveillance is not punitive but a tool designed to remove friction from their shift.

— Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Health policy researchers and hospice administrators worry that the negative attention on the industry and potential for overly punitive regulations could put California patients and taxpayers on the losing end.

— Laurie Udesky, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of punitive

Adjective

Corrections officials wanted to reduce a correctional officer’s pay by 5% for roughly 30 weeks after he was accused of using force against an inmate and failing to report a colleague’s use of force in two January 2024 incidents.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
Florida hasn’t executed more than one person in a single day since 1964, according to the state’s correctional records.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of correctional

Browse Nearby Words

disciplinarians

disciplinary

discipline

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Disciplinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciplinary. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of disciplinary

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on disciplinary

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

pedagogical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes