punisher

noun

Definition of punishernext
as in nemesis
one who inflicts punishment in return for an injury or offense a father who regrets the fact that he always ends up being the household's disciplinarian and resident punisher

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 punisher Montgomery has barely been in the big leagues for two months but has already put his name alongside a couple of franchise icons (and another hard-core punisher of baseballs). — Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punisher
  1. nemesis
  2. avenger
  3. vigilante
Noun
  • Her nemesis is Alice Black (Emmy Rossum), a former police detective now answering phones for the FBI.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2026
  • The Kansas City Royals tangled with a familiar nemesis for perhaps the final time inside the American League Central.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
Definition of nemesis
Noun
  • Speaking of that last vampire subject, this is also a great episode for Jacob Anderson in the B-plot, as Louis plays the reluctant avenger doing that loveable scoundrel Raglan James’s dirty work in two stand-out action sequences.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • Instead, the young, webbed avenger kept limber by performing headstands and flips and cartwheels on the grass.
    — Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 20 June 2026
Definition of avenger
Noun
  • Married assassin Yoo Bo Na (played by Gong Hyo Jin, who’s returning to MBC after 15 years) is back to her vigilante ways after a break, but has to evade potential discovery by her husband, an investigative journalist.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh is feeling the weight of the bond vigilantes this week.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of vigilante

Browse Nearby Words

punished
punisher
punishers
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Cite this Entry

“Punisher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punisher. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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