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 This is why China upgraded its relationship with Venezuela in 2023 and now opposes sanctions designed to punish those, mainly China itself, who purchase Venezuelan oil. Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 When this sort of explanation is merely an excuse for gender discrimination, courts ferret out the real reason and punish the culprit. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 The war ended with a lopsided Israeli victory, and with Iran scrambling to find more ways to punish and deter Israel if hostilities resumed. Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025 The smaller banks were punished because of fears centered around small businesses and their ability to navigate tariffs amid a slowing labor market and a moderately high rate environment. Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish
Verb
  • In 2000, David Stern penalized the Minnesota Timberwolves for signing Joe Smith to a series of secret contracts.
    Jesse Silvertown, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Johnson added that members have raised concerns with him about whether a blanket prohibition could unfairly penalize lawmakers with long careers outside of politics or deter many professionals with valuable perspectives from ever seeking office in the first place.
    Nik Popli, Time, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Pennsylvania agency and the Delaware Department of Insurance have fined Highmark and its health insurance subsidiaries at least four times in the past 10 years, including as recently as 2024 and 2023.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Since 1986, employers have required to verify workers' eligibility to work, and can be fined or jailed if caught knowingly breaking the law.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Six separate receivers have caught touchdown passes already this season, a stark difference from a season ago when Green was criticized for being too reliant on a small number of playmakers.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Like Kennedy, Anderson was criticized over the eight-minute tape, which was meant for private consumption and created by consenting spouses.
    Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Stephen Colbert actually had to chastise his rambunctious audience about booing the fact the president is not dead.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • As Dexter questions why Batista’s death hurts so much, Brian chastises his brother for listening to Harry too much.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Borgwardt, who could not be reached for comment for this report, pleaded no contest last month to obstructing an officer and was sentenced to 89 days in jail.
    Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Brown pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon in February 2015 and was sentenced to a minimum of six years and one month and a maximum of eight years and four months in prison.
    Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Routh was convicted in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 2002 for possessing an explosive device.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
  • He was convicted in October 2022 on six counts first-degree intentional homicide, 61 counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, six counts of hit and run involving death and two counts of bail jumping, all felonies, plus one count of misdemeanor battery.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Maryland Board of Medicine disciplined Geier for practicing medicine without a license and fined him $10,000.
    Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • In contrast to its luxury peers, Richemont has been disciplined with pricing, and the strategy has delivered.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Under the new process, property owners will still receive a notice when a violation occurs, but if the issue is not corrected within seven days, the Parks and Recreation Department will step in to mow or clean the property, the release states.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Hamilton attempted to correct the oversteer but crashed into the barrier, severely damaging the front right section of his SF-25.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Punish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punish. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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