as in punitive
Related Words
Relevance
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
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 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
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Hathaway hurls herself into that punishing sequence with violent physical force and emotional rawness.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
And Republicans are locked in a costly and punishing clash for governor, alongside a three-way Senate fight with no runaway GOP favorite.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026
The union filed at least seven unfair labor practice charges against JBS, including for firing a member of the bargaining committee, punishing a worker for filing a grievance against management and making changes to working conditions without giving the union notice.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
But the therapies to ease symptoms were punishing.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Towns added 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, repeatedly punishing a smaller Atlanta frontcourt alongside Mitchell Robinson.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The accompanying video, which was shot in the punishing heat of rural Western Australia, leans into the project’s off-kilter visual language with dust, engines and chaos.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 Apr. 2026
This debate is not about punishing success.
—Jordan Sekulow, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 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
Homelessness is punishing in itself without the fear of being fined or arrested simply for surviving outdoors.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
Hathaway hurls herself into that punishing sequence with violent physical force and emotional rawness.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
And Republicans are locked in a costly and punishing clash for governor, alongside a three-way Senate fight with no runaway GOP favorite.
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 12 Apr. 2026
The union filed at least seven unfair labor practice charges against JBS, including for firing a member of the bargaining committee, punishing a worker for filing a grievance against management and making changes to working conditions without giving the union notice.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
But the therapies to ease symptoms were punishing.
—Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
Towns added 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, repeatedly punishing a smaller Atlanta frontcourt alongside Mitchell Robinson.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The accompanying video, which was shot in the punishing heat of rural Western Australia, leans into the project’s off-kilter visual language with dust, engines and chaos.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 8 Apr. 2026
This debate is not about punishing success.
—Jordan Sekulow, Boston Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishing
Adjective
-
The United States last year also blocked imports from a major South Korean salt farm accused of using slave labor, becoming the first trade partner to take punitive action against a decadeslong problem on salt farms in islands off the country’s southwest coast.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, human-rights organizations reported repression inside the El Rodeo I prison, where foreign political detainees launched a protest that authorities allegedly responded to with tear gas and punitive measures.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to penalizing mixed-status families, advocates say the rule has other problems.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Under the law, homes are revalued when they are being sold, often raising property taxes substantially — effectively penalizing new homebuyers.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Playing hardball with Lawrence, dragging this deep into the summer, not adjusting his contract and fining him during training camp would be a worrisome way for Harbaugh and the Giants to proceed.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Crappie like to hover below their prey, fining in place and examining slow-swimming invertebrates such as damselfly, dragonfly, and mayfly nymphs, as well as small leeches.—
Cory Schmidt,
Outdoor Life,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The complaint alleges that district personnel’s concern over asbestos exposure was feigned to justify disciplining Rupert.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
But records regarding hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of particular employees, the city says, are closed under the Sunshine Law.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor apologized Wednesday for publicly criticizing Justice Brett Kavanaugh over a ruling on immigration stops — and seeming to imply that her conservative colleague's views were shaped by an out-of-touch upbringing.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Victoria Beckham is speaking out about her family in the wake of her son Brooklyn Beckham's comments criticizing his parents earlier this year.—
Mason Leib,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Before sentencing in that case, numerous victims read out harrowing impact statements.—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Konig will be held at the O’ahu Community Correctional Center until sentencing.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of correcting the errors and letting voters decide again, the council imposed higher fees anyway, including automatic increases.—
Mark Powell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Nuggets have won six games involving clutch time during the streak, correcting a trend of fourth-quarter execution issues.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, the newest major candidate to enter the race, hewed toward partisan middle ground, chastising leaders in Sacramento for allowing the state budget to balloon without tangible improvements to housing affordability, homelessness and public schools.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishing. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
