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
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
The Supreme Court makes ultimate decisions about disciplining judges.
—News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2025
Columbia’s decision to comply with federal demands, including disciplining students and restructuring governance, was framed by the university as a pragmatic step to preserve critical research funding and avoid operational crises[2][3].
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success.
—Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
Too often, the universities initiate investigations without seriously disciplining anyone and, because of delays in the process, the perpetrators end up graduating from college before the investigations are completed.
—David W. Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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
The Supreme Court makes ultimate decisions about disciplining judges.
—News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2025
Columbia’s decision to comply with federal demands, including disciplining students and restructuring governance, was framed by the university as a pragmatic step to preserve critical research funding and avoid operational crises[2][3].
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025
For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success.
—Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
Too often, the universities initiate investigations without seriously disciplining anyone and, because of delays in the process, the perpetrators end up graduating from college before the investigations are completed.
—David W. Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciplining
Adjective
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The move follows last month’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, which the White House justified as a punitive measure for India’s importation of Russian oil.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
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Iran issued a warning to world powers as the United Nations Security Council prepared to vote Friday on whether to permanently lift sanctions, pushing back against threats to snap back punitive measures over its nuclear program.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When an authority is actively suppressing or punishing speech itself, the space open to debate gets much smaller very quickly.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Twin Cities,
26 Sep. 2025
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Over on Laura Ingraham’s Fox News show, the talk was all about rebuffing notions that Comey’s yet unseen indictment is all about Trump punishing his critics.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The person signaling to the others with their flashlight began shooting at the correctional officers from a line of trees across the street before fleeing.—
Chris Boyette,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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Summerlin let a correctional officer know that the packages with the extra bombs would not fit in the mail receptacle and revealed explosive devices were inside, according to prosecutors.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disciplining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciplining. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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