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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 punished
Rossi protested his innocence and claimed he was punished so strictly because of his prominent role in Italian football, to make an example.
—
Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 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
Baird believes that shares of Zions Bancorp have been unduly punished.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
Sulton said defendants shouldn't be punished for taking a case to trial.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Most people believe they’ll be punished for failure.
—Heather Conklin, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 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
Baird believes that shares of Zions Bancorp have been unduly punished.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
Sulton said defendants shouldn't be punished for taking a case to trial.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Most people believe they’ll be punished for failure.
—Heather Conklin, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punished
Verb
-
In addition to inflation, rising energy and shipping costs, artisan firms are also penalized by changing entertaining and dining habits.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The Texans were penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness, and a few plays later, Seattle went up 14-0 on a 32-yard touchdown strike from Darnold to Cooper Kupp.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In short, Jackson could be fined, the Ravens themselves could be fined, and the franchise could have to forfeit a draft selection.—
Andrew McCarty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Minor pleaded guilty Monday to DWI and was sentenced to 90 days in jail with 89 days suspended and credit for one day jail time served, fined $500 and assessed $360 in court fees, according to deputy prosecuting attorney Charles Duell.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If convicted, Jones could be sentenced to several decades behind bars.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Porter faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced in December 2025.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
In recent months, conservative commentator Ben Shapiro has repeatedly criticized Tucker Carlson.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Umland had previously been disciplined in 2005 for his behavior in a hotel room with a female student on a school trip, according to the department’s records.—
Danielle DuClos,
jsonline.com,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Turnage was not disciplined or reprimanded in connection with the investigation, according to the lawsuit.—
Miami Herald,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The more Wyeth looked at the reference photo, the more the boy’s gaze chastised him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Duly chastised, Lee tries a less direct route.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share