punish

verb

pun·​ish ˈpə-nish How to pronounce punish (audio)
punished; punishing; punishes

transitive verb

1
a
: to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or violation
b
: to inflict a penalty for the commission of (an offense) in retribution or retaliation
2
a
: to deal with roughly or harshly
b
: to inflict injury on : hurt
punishability noun
punishable adjective
punisher noun
Choose the Right Synonym for punish

punish, chastise, castigate, chasten, discipline, correct mean to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing.

punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Examples of punish in a Sentence

I think that murderers should be punished by life imprisonment. She was punished for lying. His parents punished him by taking away his allowance. How should I punish my child's misbehavior? State law punishes fraud with fines.
Recent Examples on the Web Furthermore, his depiction of rent control as punishing landlords and attributing economic challenges solely to progressive interference overlooks the complexities of the housing market. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 As proposed in the Safeguarding National Security Bill, the new law expands the government’s power to stamp out future challenges to its rule, punishing treason and insurrection with up to life imprisonment. Kanis Leung, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2024 Anti-war candidates were blocked from the ballot and the election was held amid a worsening crackdown that has seen even minor public expressions of dissent punished with fines and prison sentences. Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024 Alexander said the Khan case isn’t proof of greater fraud but proof that anyone who attempts it will be punished. Mackenzie Mays, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The League doesn’t usually shy away from punishing those found guilty (after all, there are other owners not excited about being taken advantage of). Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 The persistent heat that roasted the Gulf Coast during a record-setting summer is still punishing Louisiana. Rick Rojas Emily Kask, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Seventh graders prepare to debate whether parents should be punished for the crimes of their minor children. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 The industry needs further regulation, to be clear, and that regulation should focus on achieving policy objectives, like punishing bad actors, protecting consumers, providing stable markets, and encouraging responsible innovation. Chris Dixon, Fortune, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'punish.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English punisshen, from Anglo-French puniss-, stem of punir, from Latin punire, from poena penalty — more at pain entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of punish was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near punish

Cite this Entry

“Punish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punish. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

punish

verb
pun·​ish ˈpən-ish How to pronounce punish (audio)
1
: to cause to experience pain or suffering for having done wrong
punish criminals with imprisonment
2
: to inflict punishment for
punish misbehavior
3
: to deal with or handle severely or roughly
badly punished by an opponent
punishable adjective
punisher noun

Legal Definition

punish

transitive verb
pun·​ish ˈpə-nish How to pronounce punish (audio)
1
: to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or violation
2
: to inflict a penalty for the commission of (an offense) in retribution or retaliation or as a deterrent

intransitive verb

: to inflict punishment
punishability noun
punishable adjective
punisher noun

More from Merriam-Webster on punish

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