discipline

1 a region of activity, knowledge, or influence you must choose a discipline to focus on in college Synonyms area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, field, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walkRelated Words frontier; study, subject; territory, turf; occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation; ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width; subfield, subspecialty

2 suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense harsh discipline was imposed to keep order within the ranks Synonyms castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), punishment, nemesis, penalty, wrathRelated Words reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance; assessment, charge, fine, mulct; example, sentence; confinement, imprisonment, incarceration; condemnation, damnation, denouncement; censure, criticism, rebuke, reprimand, reproofNear Antonyms amnesty, indemnity, pardon, parole; acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication; exemption, immunity, impunity; release; commutation, reprieve; absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment; condonation, disregard, overlooking

3 the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others she lacks the discipline that's essential for a job in customer relations Synonyms continence, constraint, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppressionRelated Words command, control, mastery, possession; self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower; composure, self-poise, self-possession; aloofness, detachedness, distance; bashfulness, modesty, shyness; reticence, silence, taciturnityNear Antonyms self-abandonment, uninhibitedness; unrestrainedness; gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence; bluntness, candor, frankness; immoderacy, intemperanceAntonyms disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint