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

Synonyms of punishment

• penalty
• wrath

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

Officials did not call a foul during the play; the league imposed the punishment after reviewing it. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

The judge questioned whether the punishment fit the crime, but said the laws tied her hands. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Margaret has chosen a darker path of isolation and cruelty and punishment. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026

Defense attorney Johnson had filed an election for the jury to assess punishment, but Jones refused to sign it, according to Sorrells. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing punishment

• capital punishment
• corporal punishment
• cruel and unusual punishment
• glutton for punishment
• self-punishment
• sucker for punishment

Kids 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

Legal Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment

1

: the act of punishing

2

: a penalty (as a fine or imprisonment) inflicted on an offender through the judicial and especially criminal process see also cruel and unusual punishment