Synonym Chooser

How is the word punish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of punish are castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, and discipline. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

When is castigate a more appropriate choice than punish?

Although the words castigate and punish have much in common, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When might chasten be a better fit than punish?

The meanings of chasten and punish largely overlap; however, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

In what contexts can chastise take the place of punish?

In some situations, the words chastise and punish are roughly equivalent. However, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When can correct be used instead of punish?

The words correct and punish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When would discipline be a good substitute for punish?

The words discipline and punish can be used in similar contexts, but discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

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 punish Composer Deantoni Parks’s score sustains and amplifies the tension, heightening the creeping pretense of water rushing forward and the punishing breathlessness of struggling back upstream. Anne Reeve, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 When Greene left a slider up to Hernández, the slugger punished it, launching it into the seats for a three-run homer. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 To survive Alaska’s punishing winters, brown bears spend the season hibernating in their dens. Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025 Administrators allegedly attempted to punish students who wore the shirts, putting them in detention. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish
Verb
  • Jacksonville was penalized four times for 25 yards.
    Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Boise State, which was penalized 13 times, briefly had a 7-6 lead in the second quarter but didn’t score again.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The move sparked concerns over whether he could be fined for his action, as other current and former owners around the league have been hit in the wallet for similar acts.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Following their 7-0 preseason loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday — a game which featured 322 penalty minutes, 65 total penalties, and 16 player ejections — the Lightning were fined $100,000 and head coach Jon Cooper fined $25,000.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some council members have criticized the proposal, citing a lack of communication and calling the move premature.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • So far, the league’s response has been not to fix the issue but, instead, to levy fines against players and coaches who criticize refs.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Do your best not to chastise them for being uninspired.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
  • After no immediate response, the controller chastised the pilots again.
    Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The defense tab, revealed last week when Javice was sentenced to seven years in prison, is roughly two-thirds of the $175 million the bank paid for Javice’s student-finance company, Frank.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Susie Jensen, the presiding judge, upheld the plea agreement and sentenced Law to the maximum punishment of 15 years behind bars, without the opportunity for parole.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If he had been convicted on the racketeering charge, Combs could have been given life in prison.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • If convicted, the defendants face from 10 years to life in prison.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This is the first time an NFL head coach has been fined for a player altercation since Bruce Arians, who was coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was disciplined for hitting safety Andrew Adams’ helmet during a Wild Card Round game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Often, Hurts' leadership proved to be unwavering and disciplined.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In 2023, the two-time Super Bowl champion missed Pac-12 media day to address a blood clot in his right leg and another surgery to correct curved toes on his left foot.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025
  • The Yankees had mostly corrected their poor fundamental mistakes since the trade deadline, but in the most important game of the season, several miscues helped put New York in a deep early deficit.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punish. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on punish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!