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
And that, passive-aggressive or not, is a properly mild punishment.
—
Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
In America, that can be a recipe for punishment, online or otherwise.
—Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Because the costumes are designed by a master, there are hints, cues, little ways that each young lady is able to make her inner self visible, even when it must be done subtlety to avoid the negative attention and terrifying punishments that Gilead’s leadership revels in.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The same punishment would have been met regardless, because that’s what the men who commit those crimes deserve.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
In America, that can be a recipe for punishment, online or otherwise.
—Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Because the costumes are designed by a master, there are hints, cues, little ways that each young lady is able to make her inner self visible, even when it must be done subtlety to avoid the negative attention and terrifying punishments that Gilead’s leadership revels in.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The same punishment would have been met regardless, because that’s what the men who commit those crimes deserve.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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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