discipline 1 of 2

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
In these accounts — disproportionately shared by Black residents — discipline was not experienced as part of training. Vanessa Grubbs, STAT, 1 June 2026 The lawsuit also alleges that the union did not impose comparable discipline on other Boilermakers employees who made similar accounting or administrative errors. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Verb
Cuthbertson also claimed that the bank violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by rescinding his work-from-home medical accommodation and subsequently disciplining him for relying on it. Chase Jordan june 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026 Finally, residents must have safe ways to raise concerns about how they’re being evaluated and disciplined, without fear of retaliation. Vanessa Grubbs, STAT, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for discipline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discipline
Noun
  • Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, was employed by Ohio State’s athletic department and medical staff for nearly two decades.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • Mullin took over from former Secretary Kristi Noem in March after she was fired not long after lawmakers pressed her about the department’s massive spending.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • There are other interesting twists to the original story that highlight different parts of the themes of crime, punishment, family and responsibility.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026
  • Therefore, a second execution would not violate the prohibition on double jeopardy or on the imposition of cruel punishment.
    Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • No official casualty figures were immediately available from the violence that prompted calls for restraint from the United Nations and the United States as the government and opposition traded blame for the violence.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
  • However, the negotiations have allowed Trump to say that relations with China are in good shape and that both countries have exercised restraint.
    Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Raphael remembers a father who worked punishing hours, something 24 to 28 hours at a time.
    Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
  • Terr hopes that the settlements reached thus far will deter officials from firing or punishing employees for their speech moving forward, despite political pressure or online outrage.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • There's much more, but this is a taster of how much money and time the partnership divert back into the area.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Onsite voting for the June 2 California Primary is underway, however at least one voting station is being used as an emergency shelter and some ballot drop boxes in the Southland are closed in the immediate area.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • As the players linked arms as one by one — five of them were brave enough to take on the enormous pressure of these penalties — in the shadows was the 2-1 defeat by Barcelona in their only other Champions League final twenty years ago.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
  • Regulators are responding by increasing application costs and considering penalties for projects that reserve capacity without moving forward.
    Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • This repression sparked years of protests and widened the divide between his government and the public, ultimately leading to his resignation.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
  • According to recent polling by the firm Meganálisis, Rodríguez continues to face deeply negative approval ratings, with many Venezuelans still associating the interim government with corruption, repression and economic collapse linked to the final years of Chavismo.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026
Noun
  • Sabalenka, 28, at first seemed to cope well with the elements, showing signs of mild annoyance at 5-3 in the first set.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 3 June 2026
  • At the time, NASA was counting on the Falcon 9 to return its capability to launch humans, and today, NASA is counting on New Glenn as a key element of its lunar ambitions.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Discipline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discipline. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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