as in penalized
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime
the child was punished for breaking dishes on purpose if caught, the thief will be severely punished
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Recent Examples of punished
The footwear giant and aircraft maker have both been unfairly punished, and their turnaround stories remain strong.
—
Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
And while it's not guaranteed, the president's party is usually punished in the midterms.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Voters punished Trudeau’s party in the polls, and the new prime minister, Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Brian Mulroney won the largest governing majority in Canadian history in 1984.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
An investigation ensued, and Renault leadership was punished.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Pickens' antics were on full display in Dallas’ 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders last week, and the NFL has punished him accordingly.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The tales explore how the people/rats/cats who inhabit the house are driven by selfish desires — and how they are subsequently rewarded or punished by a twist of fate.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
After defeating and killing Godolkin, Marie, along with four of her fellow university friends/classmates and her long lost baby sister, Annabeth Moreau (Keeya King), formed a Guardians of Godolkin group and ran away, as they will surely be hunted and punished for their deeds at the university.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
This is far from the first time that Russia has been punished like this.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
And while it's not guaranteed, the president's party is usually punished in the midterms.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Voters punished Trudeau’s party in the polls, and the new prime minister, Progressive Conservative (PC) leader Brian Mulroney won the largest governing majority in Canadian history in 1984.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
An investigation ensued, and Renault leadership was punished.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Pickens' antics were on full display in Dallas’ 44-22 win over the Washington Commanders last week, and the NFL has punished him accordingly.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
The tales explore how the people/rats/cats who inhabit the house are driven by selfish desires — and how they are subsequently rewarded or punished by a twist of fate.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
After defeating and killing Godolkin, Marie, along with four of her fellow university friends/classmates and her long lost baby sister, Annabeth Moreau (Keeya King), formed a Guardians of Godolkin group and ran away, as they will surely be hunted and punished for their deeds at the university.
—Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
This is far from the first time that Russia has been punished like this.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punished
Verb
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That may sound like fuzzy math, but the Chiefs were penalized 25 yards on the drive, which officially covered 94 yards.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
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Sac State was penalized 10 times for 80 yards against Montana, which was flagged once for 5 yards.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Just another week in the world of Ball, who was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Monday for making an obscene gesture in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 144-117 loss to Miami.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Marion earlier in the week was fined $10,000 by the Big Sky Conference for commenting about referees, including his frustration of having eight touchdowns called back this season.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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He was sentenced this month to 50 months in prison on two counts of interstate prostitution.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC news,
31 Oct. 2025
-
In 1967, Leo was sentenced to life in prison for the rape of a 7-year-old girl.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In comparison, Elizabeth Holmes, who was convicted of defrauding investors in the Theranos case, reportedly ended up with a legal bill of roughly $30 million.—
Ken Sweet,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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Smith, the reputed leader of Miami’s John Doe gang, had been sentenced to death after being convicted of murdering four people in Liberty City in the 1990s.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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CEOs and experts have criticized universities for failing to keep up with the times; now that AI is here to stay, students had better be prepared to leverage it in their roles.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
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In recent months, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has repeatedly criticized Tucker Carlson.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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A lot of it is simple, disciplined, ruminating in a way that won’t surprise anyone aware of his work with The National.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
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The improper disclosure to the media that Rollins was disciplined for came three days after Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden won the primary against her preferred candidate, ex-City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The more Wyeth looked at the reference photo, the more the boy’s gaze chastised him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
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Duly chastised, Lee tries a less direct route.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At first the dog was said to be a German shepherd mix confined in a closet, but this was later corrected to being an Australian kelpie mix in a crate.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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Most violations were corrected during the inspection.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punished. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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