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
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
There are other interesting twists to the original story that highlight different parts of the themes of crime, punishment, family and responsibility.
—
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
In its view, Broom’s punishment had not really begun.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
The Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office dropped a lewd conduct charge against Holbrook in July 2025, saying additional prosecution would not result in meaningful additional punishment after his Washington conviction.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2026
Not long after the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Quaker reformers alongside Benjamin Franklin made a bold decision to overhaul the prevailing system of punishment.
—Ana Zamora, Time, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
In its view, Broom’s punishment had not really begun.
—Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
The Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office dropped a lewd conduct charge against Holbrook in July 2025, saying additional prosecution would not result in meaningful additional punishment after his Washington conviction.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 June 2026
Not long after the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Quaker reformers alongside Benjamin Franklin made a bold decision to overhaul the prevailing system of punishment.
—Ana Zamora, Time, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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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