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Definition of disciplinenext
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discipline

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word discipline distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of discipline are castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

When is castigate a more appropriate choice than discipline?

The meanings of castigate and discipline largely overlap; however, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When would chasten be a good substitute for discipline?

The synonyms chasten and discipline are sometimes interchangeable, but chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When can chastise be used instead of discipline?

While the synonyms chastise and discipline are close in meaning, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When might correct be a better fit than discipline?

While in some cases nearly identical to discipline, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When is it sensible to use punish instead of discipline?

The words punish and discipline can be used in similar contexts, but punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of discipline
Noun
There turned out to be something satisfying about the discipline involved in creating a personally meaningful collection within these constraints. Kenneth Turan, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026 For generations, it has been portrayed as an investment in the future, building discipline, independence, and responsibility. Liam McCusker, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
The group remained notably disciplined in its narrow messaging and persistent criticism of Johnson. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 Hospital management has disciplined more than a dozen union leaders for exercising our right to talk to colleagues about our union and our right to speak about workplace violence in the press. Donovan Carey, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discipline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discipline
Noun
  • According to the department, Sutton currently faces three counts of resisting an officer, two counts of public intimidation, two counts of battery of a police officer, one count of disturbing the peace and one count of criminal trespassing.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • In October the agency fined the police department $153,000 and the sheriff’s office $184,000 for violations related to Rodarte’s death.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • As for what the punishment was for Rhoades, the school would not comment any further regarding the incident.
    Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The passage of Proposition 36, a tougher-on-crime law that placed stricter punishments on repeat drug and theft offenders, has given both agencies more opportunities to try to help those in custody suffering from drug addiction.
    Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The civil suit alleged the restraint lasted eight minutes.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Per state guidelines and Ohio Administrative Code, physical restraint must be used as a last resort and only when there is an immediate risk of physical harm to the student or others.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Fret about finding ways to score and the offense punishes you.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The state’s drought-free status is welcome news for water managers, but residents in some regions are still recovering from a series of punishing atmospheric river storms that brought intense rain and flooding.
    Denise Chow, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Avoid puddles - Driving into puddles or low rainwater areas can lead to vehicles hydroplaning or losing control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Teams that may have some postseason games to play are certainly showing themselves as playoff scenarios take shape in KC-area and regional college football.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Hendrickson proved to be too much, and Suamataia was benched for Morris after allowing two sacks and taking two holding penalties in the second half.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Jimenez’s movement drags Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic up the pitch, allowing Smith Rowe to carry the ball forward and progress the attack, which leads to the award of the penalty that proves to be the game’s only goal.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Critics accuse him of enabling repression and politicizing the armed forces, while supporters portray him as a stabilizing figure.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
  • In June only Israel attacked Iran’s apparatus of repression.
    The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But the fourth-down element has been in the spotlight.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2026
  • At the same time, aging-in-place design elements are becoming more mainstream — and more aesthetically integrated.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Discipline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discipline. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on discipline

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