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

Tina Olson, a managing attorney with the Juvenile Lifer Unit in the State Appellate Defender Office, says the decision doesn't minimize the crimes committed – or the victims impacted – but instead ensures defendants are given fair punishments. —Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026

The perception of fairness and the application of hard evidence to any punishment is a vital part of the compact between the governing and the governed. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026

Whitmore was benched — not as a punishment but as a reaffirmation of team standards such as playing with effort, being competitive at all times, playing with physicality (especially on defense), playing smart basketball and playing unselfishly. —Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

As a result, the attorneys contend, re-arresting Abrego Garcia would serve no legitimate immigration purpose and would amount to unconstitutional punishment rather than lawful civil detention. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 6 Jan. 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