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

• castigation
• chastisement
• comeuppance
• correction
• desert(s)
• discipline
• nemesis
• penalty
• wrath

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

Officers can now evade punishment for misconduct when investigations into potential policy breaches take too long. —Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 26 Apr. 2024

Prosecutors began their punishment case Thursday and expect full days of testimony Friday and Tuesday, with a weekend recess to include Monday. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2024

But the question is whether the punishment for not doing so is impeachment or criminal prosecution. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2024

Nonetheless, at the time, the punishment was real, and Bush’s involvement in it was real bad, and for everyone to ignore that is to disrespect all the lives that were forever changed by his actions. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

Share [Findings] Psychopaths recommend harsher punishments for homicides, whether accidental or motivated by profit, but exhibit relatively low concern about killing in general. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024

The officers facing punishment have the right to appeal and argue their cases in what’s known as Skelly hearing. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024

In California, simple assault against workers inside an ER is considered the same as simple assault against almost anyone else, and carries a maximum punishment of a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. —Don Thompson, Sacramento Bee, 22 Apr. 2024

Fines are imposed upon conviction and intended as deterrence and/or punishment. —Isabelle Kause, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing punishment

• capital punishment
• corporal punishment
• cruel and unusual punishment
• glutton for punishment
• self-punishment
• sucker for punishment

Kids 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

Legal Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment

1

: the act of punishing

2

: a penalty (as a fine or imprisonment) inflicted on an offender through the judicial and especially criminal process see also cruel and unusual punishment