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
As part of these efforts, the US has ousted Venezuela’s former leader, expanded the US embargo on Cuba, prosecuted senior Mexican officials with alleged cartel ties, and punished Costa Rican journalists for criticizing a Washington ally.
—
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 7 May 2026
If lawmakers or their families are found guilty of insider trading, they should be punished and treated like any other criminal — exactly like the rest of us.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The guidelines, which are set out on the Ministry of Education website, specify that only male students can be punished with the cane.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
Cities that meet housing targets should receive priority for infrastructure funding and support, so growth is rewarded, not punished.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
When Craig Counsell won his 900th game as a manager, he was punished for it in the most Chicago way imaginable.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Yes, the bad guys are invariably punished, but there’s always a cost, and typically one that goes beyond the death of poor Jerry.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Adelman knows the Nuggets have to be vigilant about not getting caught in rotation or punished for helping off of a shooter.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Two legal officials, who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities, said Thursday’s measure would further reduce Suu Kyi’s sentence by one-sixth, but did not specify the exact remaining term.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 7 May 2026
If lawmakers or their families are found guilty of insider trading, they should be punished and treated like any other criminal — exactly like the rest of us.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The guidelines, which are set out on the Ministry of Education website, specify that only male students can be punished with the cane.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
Cities that meet housing targets should receive priority for infrastructure funding and support, so growth is rewarded, not punished.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
When Craig Counsell won his 900th game as a manager, he was punished for it in the most Chicago way imaginable.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Yes, the bad guys are invariably punished, but there’s always a cost, and typically one that goes beyond the death of poor Jerry.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Adelman knows the Nuggets have to be vigilant about not getting caught in rotation or punished for helping off of a shooter.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Two legal officials, who insisted on anonymity for fear of being punished by the authorities, said Thursday’s measure would further reduce Suu Kyi’s sentence by one-sixth, but did not specify the exact remaining term.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punished
Verb
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Because Hathaway was penalized for tripping Elmer Soderblom and and roughing Malkin, in addition to Konecny's roughing minor, Pittsburgh received a power-play.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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After Dobes was penalized for tripping Yanni Gourde, Point took Jake Guentzel’s centering pass and ripped a shot past Dobes’ blocker from the high slot.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Jazz — one of the teams recently fined by the league for tanking during the regular season — still managed to get a decent outcome after the NBA tried to police the tanking process.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
-
In 2019 Leeds United were fined £200,000 after a member of Marcelo Bielsa’s backroom staff had been found spying on their next league opponents Derby County.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Hitchcock later recanted his confession and said his brother killed Cindy, but he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Horner’s mother was one of the first defense witnesses to testify last week as Horner’s lawyers try to convince the jury that he should be sentenced to life in prison without parole instead of the death penalty.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Following a jury trial, Pasqual was also convicted of counts of injuring a spouse or partner, first-degree burglary and rape, according to court documents.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
He was convicted of mail fraud and sentenced to a year in federal prison.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Verb
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In addition to the issues with the tax collector and the city’s credit card, Stewart was also criticized by Fazio for skipping two consecutive debates last week in Farmington and Berlin.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
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Carr publicly criticized the late-night host for remarks made about the killing of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, which was followed by Kimmel’s show being removed from the air for several days before it was reinstated.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Turner had a difficult relationship with his father, who had a weakness for alcohol and disciplined his son with a leather strap or a wire coat hanger.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
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Some agencies are fiscally disciplined; others are not.—
Rose Evans
May 6,
Idaho Statesman,
6 May 2026
Verb
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During a July 31, 2023, jury trial, prosecutors argued Pino was rightly concerned that Hollis was a threat to him and his family, and chastised Hollis for not being grateful to Pino for putting his life on the line to save hers.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Earlier this year, the World Health Organization issued a statement that chastised the involved parties.—
Uzma Rentia,
STAT,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Retail Food Inspection Guide.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
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The location was reopened after a follow-up inspection found the violations had been corrected.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punished. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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