make an example of

phrase

: to punish (a person who has done something wrong) as a way of warning other people not to do the same thing

Although it was only his first offense, the judge decided to make an example of him and sentence him to prison.

Examples of make an example of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The most embarrassing thing for the USA is that Garcia clearly was out to make an example of the Americans after all the pregame controversy. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

There is a feeling throughout the organization that the NHL chose to make an example of Rust after his hit to the head of the Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

The more powerful an entity is, the more they must be made an example of. — Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

With his ludicrously large antlered helmet and his devilish grin, the capricious Ser Lyonel initially seems inclined to make an example of Dunk, who is eating the Baratheons’ food with nothing to offer in return. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for make an example of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove