as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment
disciplining actions taken in response to the rowdiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in punishing
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
the pranksters were severely disciplined for their irresponsible stunt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disciplining
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
No topic appeared off limits for the couple, as Kevin and Ruby posted videos on everything from homeschooling to potty training to their fertility struggles — as well as their approach to disciplining their six children, according to the podcast The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
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
The amendment also makes several changes to the commission’s process for disciplining judges.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025
While several universities have faced public backlash for disciplining students or faculty over commentary surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, other schools have quietly taken steps to reaffirm free speech.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Bad Apples seems like another entry into that canon, until Maria (Saoirse Ronan), a primary-school instructor reeling after a painful breakup, goes too far while disciplining a particularly disruptive pupil.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
This five-step sequence is less about distrusting AI than about disciplining ourselves.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Hayse alleges that the city of Melvindale fired him for disciplining Furman for using excessive force on two occasions and for engaging in aggressive towing tactics that targeted poor people.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Ultimately, Lawson concluded that disciplining Polak over the three posts would be constitutionally allowed under the First Amendment, though such discipline did not appear to follow the university’s own guidelines and its collective bargaining agreement.
—Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
No topic appeared off limits for the couple, as Kevin and Ruby posted videos on everything from homeschooling to potty training to their fertility struggles — as well as their approach to disciplining their six children, according to the podcast The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
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
The amendment also makes several changes to the commission’s process for disciplining judges.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2025
While several universities have faced public backlash for disciplining students or faculty over commentary surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, other schools have quietly taken steps to reaffirm free speech.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Bad Apples seems like another entry into that canon, until Maria (Saoirse Ronan), a primary-school instructor reeling after a painful breakup, goes too far while disciplining a particularly disruptive pupil.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2025
This five-step sequence is less about distrusting AI than about disciplining ourselves.
—Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Hayse alleges that the city of Melvindale fired him for disciplining Furman for using excessive force on two occasions and for engaging in aggressive towing tactics that targeted poor people.
—Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciplining
Adjective
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So over the past year and a bit, China had put very punitive tariffs on Canadian agricultural products and fish and seafood, shutting Canadians out from one of their primary markets, if not for some of them, their primary market.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
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But the pressure isn’t punitive.—
Shaw Walters,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The sweet spot is intuitive discipline, building habits that feel purposeful rather than punishing.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
25 Jan. 2026
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Targeted antitrust enforcement that restores competition without punishing scale for its own sake can lower prices without new bureaucracy.—
J.D. Hayworth,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The men were also charged, and convicted, of several felonies in Ada County related to the hospital escape and shooting of several correctional officers.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
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Williams got his degree and would later become a correctional officer and eventually supervisor of security operations at Mount Sinai Medical Center.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disciplining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciplining. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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