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
The most extreme punishment the 24-year-old could receive is a ban spanning four years.
—
Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 June 2025
While many see Juneteenth as an opportunity to celebrate freedom, the truth is that slavery still exists today, in prisons around the country, due to the loophole in the 13th Amendment that permits enslavement as punishment for a crime.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
What is the punishment for indecent exposure in NC?
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
The lobbyist and his defense lawyer were hoping for home confinement as punishment, while a prosecutor argued that 2-1/2 years would be just during a hearing in West Palm Beach federal court.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Phil Hay, New York Times, 20 June 2025
While many see Juneteenth as an opportunity to celebrate freedom, the truth is that slavery still exists today, in prisons around the country, due to the loophole in the 13th Amendment that permits enslavement as punishment for a crime.
—Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
What is the punishment for indecent exposure in NC?
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
The lobbyist and his defense lawyer were hoping for home confinement as punishment, while a prosecutor argued that 2-1/2 years would be just during a hearing in West Palm Beach federal court.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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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