as in punitive
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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
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
To stop the spiral of impunity, political leaders must recommit to their obligations under international law by investigating, prosecuting and punishing crimes against journalists—even when the pursuit of justice means holding political allies and powerful elites to account.
—Scott Griffen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In short, less than three, maybe even four, points from the next two games puts United’s morale at the mercy of a punishing seven-day examination by Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The only drawback is its poor aerodynamics, which limit its range and accuracy beyond 100-150 yards, and the recoil is punishing.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
The transfer of the remains comes just two days after Israel carried out punishing strikes in Gaza in response to the Hamas killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah on Tuesday afternoon.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The administration had pushed ahead with a series of punishing tariffs as part of a broader effort to reset trade relationships.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Rather than punishing Li — as some initial speculation suggested — Beijing formalized his role last week as top trade negotiator.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
To train for Kona, which marked her 11th appearance at the Ironman World Championship, Grabow followed a punishing fitness regimen.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
Zoning is not meant to be some sort of punishing thing meant to make a city miserable.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2025
To stop the spiral of impunity, political leaders must recommit to their obligations under international law by investigating, prosecuting and punishing crimes against journalists—even when the pursuit of justice means holding political allies and powerful elites to account.
—Scott Griffen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
In short, less than three, maybe even four, points from the next two games puts United’s morale at the mercy of a punishing seven-day examination by Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
The only drawback is its poor aerodynamics, which limit its range and accuracy beyond 100-150 yards, and the recoil is punishing.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
The transfer of the remains comes just two days after Israel carried out punishing strikes in Gaza in response to the Hamas killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah on Tuesday afternoon.
—Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
The administration had pushed ahead with a series of punishing tariffs as part of a broader effort to reset trade relationships.
—Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Rather than punishing Li — as some initial speculation suggested — Beijing formalized his role last week as top trade negotiator.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
To train for Kona, which marked her 11th appearance at the Ironman World Championship, Grabow followed a punishing fitness regimen.
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishing
Adjective
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His legal team condemned the plan as unconstitutional and punitive, warning that without assurances from Liberia, Abrego Garcia could be sent back to El Salvador.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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Professional development for teachers focuses on positive, rather than punitive, behavioral and engagement practices.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By addressing one of the most persistent inefficiencies in combination vehicles, Tesla could make towing more energy-efficient and less aerodynamically penalizing, reinforcing the Cybertruck’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of both style and functionality, reports Electrek.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
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But there is no provision in the law penalizing states for doing that.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Second, fining parents for curfew violations may put extra financial pressure on families that are already struggling.—
Caitlin Cavanagh,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
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The Lynx have drawn the ire of the league over the past week after reportedly fining Reeve $15,000 for her criticism after Game 3.—
Trevor Squire,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Complicating matters, the 30-year-old MLS newcomer was held out of the past two games, Varas disciplining him for a tantrum after the coach benched him at halftime three weeks ago in Houston.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
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The amendment also makes several changes to the commission’s process for disciplining judges.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Though George Washington and the press started off amicably, their relationship grew more adversarial once journalists began criticizing the nation’s first president.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
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Mamdani — who came under fire during the race for his past comments criticizing the New York Police Department — on Wednesday also reiterated his intention to keep the city’s current police commissioner, Jessica Tisch.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, the jury declined to give Smith the death penalty — instead sentencing her to life in prison.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
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Mark Stoner stepped down as judge in 2024 Stoner was the same judge who drew the ire of Indianapolis' police union in 2024 for sentencing police officer Breann Leath's killer to 25 years in prison rather than 63 requested by prosecutors.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Same for Dax Hill, focusing on going back to work and correcting mistakes.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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Some of the picks on this list even have color-correcting powers built right into the concealer, giving you multiple benefits in a few swipes.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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If your child has already tried the trend, according to experts, parents should refrain from chastising them or using scare tactics.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
21 Aug. 2025
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This after having spent days talking about the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory as part of some sort of agreement, and chastising Ukraine — invaded unprovoked by a much larger neighbor — of starting the war itself.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishing. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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