discipline

1 a region of activity, knowledge, or influence you must choose a discipline to focus on in college Synonyms of discipline area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, field, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walkWords Related to discipline 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 of discipline castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), punishment, nemesis, penalty, wrathWords Related to discipline reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance; assessment, charge, fine, mulct; example, sentence; confinement, imprisonment, incarceration; condemnation, damnation, denouncement; censure, criticism, rebuke, reprimand, reproofNear Antonyms of discipline 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 of discipline continence, constraint, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppressionWords Related to discipline 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 of discipline self-abandonment, uninhibitedness; unrestrainedness; gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence; bluntness, candor, frankness; immoderacy, intemperanceAntonyms of discipline disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime the pranksters were severely disciplined for their irresponsible stunt Synonyms of discipline castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, punish, penalizeWords Related to discipline assess, charge, dock, fine, impose, levy, mulct; convict, sentence; condemn, damn, denounce; criticize, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reprove; wreakNear Antonyms of discipline forfeit; get off, ransom, release; commute, reprieve; absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicateAntonyms of discipline excuse, pardon, spare