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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
For all the posturing about discipline, spirituality, and self-control, rappers are just as entangled in the rumor economy as their listeners. Jayson Buford, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025 Yuriy Fedorenko, commander of the Achilles drone regiment, shared that skill and discipline matter more than gaming experience. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
However, companies that rush to discipline employees in such cases risk missing the bigger issue. Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025 Complicating matters, the 30-year-old MLS newcomer was held out of the past two games, Varas disciplining him for a tantrum after the coach benched him at halftime three weeks ago in Houston. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for discipline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discipline
Noun
  • On Friday, two federal judges ordered SNAP benefits to be paid from the department's contingency fund, but confusion continued over the issue Tuesday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Ausberry said at a press conference last week that LSU and its athletic department are not broken.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Hence, taking them away is an appropriate punishment.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
  • But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.
    Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While objecting to restraints, Robinson’s attorneys agree with the sheriff that the court should limit or ban video and photographic coverage of proceedings.
    Stepheny Price , Melissa Chrise, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • To complement the architecture’s rigor, the current owners turned to designer André Mellone of Studio Mellone, known for his elegant restraint and understanding of proportion.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The footwear giant and aircraft maker have both been unfairly punished, and their turnaround stories remain strong.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The only drawback is its poor aerodynamics, which limit its range and accuracy beyond 100-150 yards, and the recoil is punishing.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Tabor and Sheriff Jay Cantrell both said the new quarantine space, along with other spaces being added for medical care, the intake and release of detainees, and court proceedings may allow the sheriff's office to open some areas to new programming.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Local and state officials criticized the immigration operation in the area Friday.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Campaign ads, showing images of flash-mob robberies, promised voters that harsher penalties would put an end to basic items being locked away in display cases and funnel people repeatedly arrested for drug offenses in treatment.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • If convicted, a person could face between 10 and 25 years in prison, depending on who the person is to the child and whether the child has a disability, among other factors that could increase penalties.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The unrest presents a test for Hassan, who won plaudits after taking office in 2021 for easing repression of opponents and censorship that had increased under her predecessor John Magufuli.
    Reuters 10 hr ago, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • On a recent episode of the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast, DaCosta told IndieWire that continuing to play with the script wasn’t just about calibrating the levels of performance, repression, and passion simmering just beneath the characters’ exteriors.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The neutral tones and organic elements of the hotel’s 349 rooms and suites soothe the spirit and mirror the otherworldly atmosphere of the Riviera Maya.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Depending on which elements are involved, airglow can appear in subtle shades of green, red or orange.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Discipline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discipline. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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