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
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
Even if Haim is eventually cleared, with vindictive prosecutions, the process itself can be the punishment.
—
The Editors, National Review, 13 June 2024
In August 2003, Nees got a reciprocal punishment suspension from Florida after the state of Washington action against Nees for altering patient records.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 June 2024
Woods, still haunted by Boston’s Big 3 — Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Pierce — beating the Lakers in the 2008 Finals, feels another Celtics win would be an unspeakable punishment from the basketball gods.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024
Homelessness is its own punishment just as Christian charity is its own reward.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for punishment 
The Editors, National Review, 13 June 2024
In August 2003, Nees got a reciprocal punishment suspension from Florida after the state of Washington action against Nees for altering patient records.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 10 June 2024
Woods, still haunted by Boston’s Big 3 — Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Pierce — beating the Lakers in the 2008 Finals, feels another Celtics win would be an unspeakable punishment from the basketball gods.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2024
Homelessness is its own punishment just as Christian charity is its own reward.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for punishment
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punishment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 18 Jun. 2024.
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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