as in penalty
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
he is serving five years in prison as punishment for aggravated assault
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Recent Examples of punishment
The recognition that the criminal process is itself a form of punishment is one of the reasons that the Department of Justice has maintained independence from the president.
—
The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
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
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
Mears said the victim's age, 69, could be considered an aggravating factor and might lead to a tougher punishment if Sanchez is convicted.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2025
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
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
Mears said the victim's age, 69, could be considered an aggravating factor and might lead to a tougher punishment if Sanchez is convicted.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishment
Noun
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Ahead of Game 2, with his college career on the brink and the Terriers down another key forward in Tomlinson due to a Game 1 penalty, Sullivan approached Parker.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Following their 7-0 preseason loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday — a game which featured 322 penalty minutes, 65 total penalties, and 16 player ejections — the Lightning were fined $100,000 and head coach Jon Cooper fined $25,000.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When Hernán helps Julia and her young daughter, Maribel, navigate treacherous borderlands, their desperate journey triggers the wrath of a ruthless trafficking syndicate.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
7 Oct. 2025
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Tech CEOs lobbying Trump similarly risk the wrath of true believers in the administration who, quite simply, hate them.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishment. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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