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
Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Charis Smith, Deerfield Beach The response by Florida Atlantic University to attempt to silence faculty by disciplining some for their posts on personal social media accounts should come as no surprise.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Paxton’s support for Bowden puts him at odds with the Texas Medical Board, a state agency tasked with protecting the public by licensing and disciplining physicians and other health care professionals.
—Evan MacDonald, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 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
Verb
According to the indictment, Gonzalez, Carillo, Beltran and De Los Angeles participated in disciplining members or others deemed to have interfered with the criminal activities.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Charis Smith, Deerfield Beach The response by Florida Atlantic University to attempt to silence faculty by disciplining some for their posts on personal social media accounts should come as no surprise.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Paxton’s support for Bowden puts him at odds with the Texas Medical Board, a state agency tasked with protecting the public by licensing and disciplining physicians and other health care professionals.
—Evan MacDonald, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciplining
Adjective
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Doing that is not aggressive or punitive.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Drug policy reform that is grounded in scientific evidence would favor stigma-free counseling and treatment over punitive measures.—
Lauren Micalizzi,
STAT,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Peters' lawyers said the judge violated her First Amendment rights by punishing her with a stiff sentence for making allegations about election fraud.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
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The stock market rebounded on Wednesday from two days of punishing swings after oil prices stopped spiking and reports gave encouraging updates on the economy.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Minnesota correctional officials say many people accused of crimes were released directly to ICE by state or county prisons and jails.—
Kate Wells,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2026
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Investigators appeared to have learned of the relationship after correctional officer Donald Robinson’s phone was found in August 2025 in the inmate’s cell.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Disciplining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciplining. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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