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
Starmer, who won the largest majority in modern history for Labour at a national election in 2024, faces new questions over his political judgment, just three weeks before his party is expected to be punished in local elections in England, and regional votes in Scotland and Wales.
—
Reuters, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The lack of a clinical edge cost them dear before Ousmane Dembele punished some slack defensive work from Alexis Mac Allister with a ruthless finish 18 minutes from time.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Four firefighters filed a federal lawsuit against Grand Blanc Township on Monday, alleging that they were punished for speaking out against an attempt to fire their fire chief after the 2025 attack at the Church of Latter-day Saints.
—Elle Meyers, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Eastman argued he was being punished for simply giving legal advice.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Kardashian is also a defender of the unjustly punished and a criminal justice reform activist.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The panel has scheduled a public hearing for later this month to determine if the congresswoman should be punished for ethics violations.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Pino can’t be convicted of both charges because of the constitutional protection against double jeopardy or being punished more than once for the same crime.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
There is a risk you could be brought back to court and punished.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Reuters, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
The lack of a clinical edge cost them dear before Ousmane Dembele punished some slack defensive work from Alexis Mac Allister with a ruthless finish 18 minutes from time.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Four firefighters filed a federal lawsuit against Grand Blanc Township on Monday, alleging that they were punished for speaking out against an attempt to fire their fire chief after the 2025 attack at the Church of Latter-day Saints.
—Elle Meyers, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Eastman argued he was being punished for simply giving legal advice.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Kardashian is also a defender of the unjustly punished and a criminal justice reform activist.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
The panel has scheduled a public hearing for later this month to determine if the congresswoman should be punished for ethics violations.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026
Pino can’t be convicted of both charges because of the constitutional protection against double jeopardy or being punished more than once for the same crime.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
There is a risk you could be brought back to court and punished.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punished
Verb
-
Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger stopped 28 shots, including a point-blank attempt by Kirill Kaprizov with 2 1/2 minutes to play when the Wild were on a power play after Dallas was penalized for too many men on the ice.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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He should be penalized for that.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The refs should get fined for stuff like this.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Zhang Kequn was also fined 1 million Kenyan shillings ($7,700) after pleading guilty to the charge of wildlife possession without a license.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mack was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing her mother, while Schaefer, who admitted fatally beating von Wiese-Mack but claimed self defense, received an 18-year prison term.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
With Gobert sentenced to the bench, Chris Finch had to go smaller with Randle at the five.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Householder is serving a 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in 2023 of orchestrating the scheme, which FirstEnergy has admitted to underwriting.—
Julie Carr Smyth,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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Garcia Moran was convicted of assault and battery for a March 2025 incident and given a 12-month sentence, with 10 months suspended by the county’s General District Court.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Patel, in the lawsuit filed in district court in Washington, denied the allegations of his behavior and criticized the magazine for relying on anonymous sources.—
David Bauder,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Radev also criticized the European Union for relying too heavily on renewable energy.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two of those were fired and the other was disciplined.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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For the financially disciplined, tax season may now double as a travel rewards opportunity.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At a staff meeting, Altman chastised employees who raised concerns.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Some people have been praised for their use, while others have been chastised.—
Moriah Humiston,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This story has been corrected to attribute the statements about the shooting to police spokesperson Chris Bordelon, not Police Chief Wayne Smith, and corrects the ages of the children killed based on an update by police.—
Gerald Herbert,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2026
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a video address released Sunday that Canada’s strong economic ties to the United States were once a strength but are now a weakness that must be corrected.—
Jim Morris,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punished. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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