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
Susie Jensen, the presiding judge, upheld the plea agreement and sentenced Law to the maximum punishment of 15 years behind bars, without the opportunity for parole.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025
This isn’t the first NHL punishment to come down for either team this preseason.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
As in any criminal case, there is a possibility of a plea deal that would call for a much lighter punishment—including, in some instances, no time behind bars particularly when the defendant lacks a criminal record.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Forced to become a bloodsucker as part of Bill's punishment for vanquishing another, Deborah Ann Woll's Jessica struggles with her new, flesh-craving lifestyle.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025
This isn’t the first NHL punishment to come down for either team this preseason.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
As in any criminal case, there is a possibility of a plea deal that would call for a much lighter punishment—including, in some instances, no time behind bars particularly when the defendant lacks a criminal record.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Forced to become a bloodsucker as part of Bill's punishment for vanquishing another, Deborah Ann Woll's Jessica struggles with her new, flesh-craving lifestyle.
—Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 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 11 Oct. 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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