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 Gild stresses the importance of career pathways, but in trades the best technician is often rewarded—or punished—by being made a supervisor. Dan Ringo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Rather than lunging at Henry’s legs or trying to get immediately physical with the most physical, punishing runner in the league, Strong let his game prep do the talking. Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent a trade delegation to the US in a bid to roll back punishing tariffs imposed by Washington. Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Beijing has long rejected Western pressure to help stop Russia's war in Ukraine by punishing Moscow. John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish
Verb
  • Moreover, Washington didn’t penalize China or Turkey for purchasing Russian oil—only India.
    Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Clubs could go below this threshold but be penalized in some fashion.
    Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Notable Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase revealed that she was fined by the league after her comments regarding Game 1’s officiating.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Brimmer agreed that a deterrent was needed and fined Bell the $150,000.
    Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • More generally, the Nepalese public criticized the government’s measures disproportionate impact on ordinary users.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Republicans on Sunday criticized some Democrats, suggesting language used by them contributed to Kirk's killing, claims that Democrats rejected.
    Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Miller often called well into the evening, Dudek said, to chastise him about anything the press had reported that day that had caught the administration off guard.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Kelley is chastised and eventually replaced by Gustave Gilbert (Colin Hanks), a rival psychologist with a different take, one that opposes Kelley’s more humanistic approach in defining the horrors of that time.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel, Iranian state media reported, after the rights group Amnesty International said the man, Babak Shahbazi, had been sentenced to death in an unfair trial marred by allegations of torture.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Wenger still faces sentencing in that case, regardless of how the civil rights trial pans out.
    Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The act requires the detention, without bond, of non citizens charged with or convicted of crimes such as theft, assaulting a police officer or drunk driving.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Increasing Detection — and Penalties The report details strategies for both increasing the detection rate of poaching in America and also for reducing opportunities for poachers and increasing penalties for those convicted of wildlife crimes.
    Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Even if there is no criminal investigation, the NFL has the authority — in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement — to independently investigate allegations in a civil matter and discipline Hill under the league’s personal conduct policy.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • As part of additional protections for LGBTQIA+ students and staff, educators cannot be disciplined for using a student’s preferred name or pronouns, according to union spokesperson Megan Boldt Murphy.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Denver Post will update the story as quickly as possible to correct any errors.
    The Denver Post, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Angels have worked to correct the technique.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Punish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punish. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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