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

The court imposed the punishment under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, which allows sentences below mandatory minimums, despite the government’s objection. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025

Panthers head coach Dave Canales also indicated there would be internal punishment dolled out by the team in some fashion. —Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025

The charge against him includes an enhancement of habitual criminality repeater that could subject him to harsher punishment, if he is convicted. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 25 Nov. 2025

Star receiver Jauan Jennings, who caught the lone touchdown pass from quarterback Brock Purdy on San Francisco’s opening series, may have some NFL punishment coming his way, as does Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig potentially pending a league review of their postgame altercation. —Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

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