Synonyms of punishes

punishes

verb

present tense third-person singular of punish

as in penalizes

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

• penalizes
• fines
• criticizes
• chastises
• sentences
• corrects
• chastens
• castigates
• convicts
• condemns
• disciplines
• imposes
• assesses
• charges
• denounces
• reprimands
• levies
• mulcts
• damns
• rebukes
• docks
• reproves
• wreaks
• keelhauls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• spares
• forfeits
• excuses
• pardons
• releases
• gets off
• exonerates
• absolves
• vindicates
• commutes
• acquits
• exculpates
• ransoms
• reprieves

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of punishes

Free markets, small government, low taxes and a sensible bipartisan foreign policy that seeks stability in the Middle East and punishes authoritarians who would project power beyond their borders? — James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026

If economic insecurity punishes the governing party at the polls, the next Congress will be expected to do something about it once sworn in. — Erin Kay Lockwood, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

In that case, more liberal Israelis will not wait to see how badly the world punishes their country. — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

This type of leader isn’t likely to emerge in a political culture that rewards antics and showmanship and punishes seriousness and integrity. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026

That timeline rewards commitment and punishes constant switching, which is how most routines fail. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

The shortfall that punishes success The system can also make serving more children harder, not easier. — Tim Grailer, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026

The market already punishes models that behave in unpredictable or unauthorized ways. — Kevin Breuninger,cj Haddad, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

If, as Jimmy Connors has said, tennis is boxing at ninety feet—a lonely battle of wills that punishes the slightest lapse in concentration—Eala’s southpaw forehand drives resemble Pacquiao’s blazing left hooks. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026