as in punitive
Related Words
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as in penalizing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of punishing
Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
First introduced in 1944, the multi-purpose off-roader with portal axles has been used as the basis for military, emergency, and commercial vehicles in some of the most punishing environments around the world.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025
But the new government, led by former rebels who toppled Bashar al-Assad, is urging US lawmakers to repeal the most punishing sanctions isolating Syria from the world economy.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Terr hopes that the settlements reached thus far will deter officials from firing or punishing employees for their speech moving forward, despite political pressure or online outrage.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Many Democratic candidates have homed in on inflation and affordability-focused messaging this cycle, especially after some in the party chalked up their 2024 losses to voters punishing them for the post-pandemic spike in inflation.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
The report said Tehran would consider a full closure of the Straight of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that carried a fifth of the world’s oil supply before the war, with the aim of punishing Israel and its supporters.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 1 June 2026
This raised interest rates to punishing levels just as fiscal prudence was being tossed aside.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
And voters reinforce the cycle, rewarding the most partisan candidates and punishing moderates in primary after primary.
—Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
Sarcastic fury on his past albums used to be paired with a sense of playful discovery, like the new wave synths mixed with punishing bass on All My Heroes Are Cornballs or the SP-404-shredding beats that powered his Danny Brown collaboration Scaring The Hoes.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Madrid’s 2025-26 campaign has been punishing.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
Instead, left under the most punishing economic sanctions Cubans have known in their lives, the island may slowly wither and die.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
First introduced in 1944, the multi-purpose off-roader with portal axles has been used as the basis for military, emergency, and commercial vehicles in some of the most punishing environments around the world.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025
But the new government, led by former rebels who toppled Bashar al-Assad, is urging US lawmakers to repeal the most punishing sanctions isolating Syria from the world economy.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
Raphael remembers a father who worked punishing hours, something 24 to 28 hours at a time.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Terr hopes that the settlements reached thus far will deter officials from firing or punishing employees for their speech moving forward, despite political pressure or online outrage.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 2 June 2026
Many Democratic candidates have homed in on inflation and affordability-focused messaging this cycle, especially after some in the party chalked up their 2024 losses to voters punishing them for the post-pandemic spike in inflation.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 June 2026
The report said Tehran would consider a full closure of the Straight of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that carried a fifth of the world’s oil supply before the war, with the aim of punishing Israel and its supporters.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 1 June 2026
This raised interest rates to punishing levels just as fiscal prudence was being tossed aside.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
And voters reinforce the cycle, rewarding the most partisan candidates and punishing moderates in primary after primary.
—Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
Sarcastic fury on his past albums used to be paired with a sense of playful discovery, like the new wave synths mixed with punishing bass on All My Heroes Are Cornballs or the SP-404-shredding beats that powered his Danny Brown collaboration Scaring The Hoes.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Madrid’s 2025-26 campaign has been punishing.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishing
Adjective
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San Diego’s leadership should recognize the urgency of these challenges as part of a broader civic agenda and increase resources for early interventions that are rehabilitative rather than punitive.—
Muhammad Aquil,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
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What your employer can't do When a garnishment order is issued, many borrowers will worry that their jobs could be at risk due to punitive action by their employers.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The focus should be on solving the underlying issue, not penalizing the people doing the work.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
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Assuming otherwise undermines patient safety while penalizing the professionals who care for the most vulnerable patients.—
Dr. John Guzzi,
Hartford Courant,
27 May 2026
Verb
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In other words, the league no longer wants to be in the business of fining people for playing Cody Williams and John Konchar in the fourth quarter, or listening to other GMs whining about it.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
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The town council in one Colorado community has approved the first reading of an ordinance designed to prevent the HOA from fining residents for a brown lawn.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
23 May 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges a line of district attorneys from 1980 through 2012 fostered the culture that allowed such a practice to take root, often by not disciplining prosecutors who allegedly excluded certain jurors in violation of the Constitution.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
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Cuthbertson also claimed that the bank violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by rescinding his work-from-home medical accommodation and subsequently disciplining him for relying on it.—
Chase Jordan
June 2,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Verb
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In March, Warren led the Massachusetts delegation in a letter to the State Department criticizing the administration’s lack of preparation in terms of evacuating Americans and pressing for answers on its response.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
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The agreement was immediately challenged in Kenya’s High Court, with opponents criticizing it for unfavorable terms.—
Larry Madowo,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Verb
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The searchable database covers all of the nearly 1,600 criminal cases, including charges, convictions, and sentencing outcomes.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
26 May 2026
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The appeals court that ordered a trial court to reconsider Peters' sentence said the trial judge's consideration of her belief in the existence of 2020 election fraud went beyond what was relevant to sentencing her.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Treatments range from Chinese-inspired, correcting the flow of qi within the body, to Ayurvedic, rooted in India’s most ancient healing science.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
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But pay close attention to the difference between how a reputable news organization acknowledges its mistakes—namely, by transparently correcting them—and how Trump or Musk reacts to being called out for getting something wrong.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Some have been more vocal than others, publicly chastising him for his opacity ahead of what is expected to be a competitive general election race.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
29 May 2026
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Almost immediately after releasing Einstein, Paliwal started receiving emails from professors chastising him for creating a tool seemingly designed to perpetuate academic fraud.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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