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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in punitive
Related Words
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
Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Why exactly is the deal so punishing?
—Mara Weinraub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Ready to quit punishing yourself?
—Usa Today, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Third, punishing parents with fines can make existing inequalities worse, since youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are more often cited for minor offenses such as curfew violations.
—Caitlin Cavanagh, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Supplying Tomahawks would again take Trump further than his predecessor in punishing Russia.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Dudamel and the orchestra delivered the score with absolute conviction and an almost punishing vehemence.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Daniel Day-Lewis is legendary for going to punishing lengths to deliver authentic performances.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Composer Deantoni Parks’s score sustains and amplifies the tension, heightening the creeping pretense of water rushing forward and the punishing breathlessness of struggling back upstream.
—Anne Reeve, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The superpowers imposed punishing tariffs on one another earlier this year, only to lower them, and had for months been discussing a trade deal.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Why exactly is the deal so punishing?
—Mara Weinraub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Ready to quit punishing yourself?
—Usa Today, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Third, punishing parents with fines can make existing inequalities worse, since youth from disadvantaged backgrounds are more often cited for minor offenses such as curfew violations.
—Caitlin Cavanagh, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Supplying Tomahawks would again take Trump further than his predecessor in punishing Russia.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Dudamel and the orchestra delivered the score with absolute conviction and an almost punishing vehemence.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Daniel Day-Lewis is legendary for going to punishing lengths to deliver authentic performances.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Composer Deantoni Parks’s score sustains and amplifies the tension, heightening the creeping pretense of water rushing forward and the punishing breathlessness of struggling back upstream.
—Anne Reeve, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishing
Verb
-
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
-
Instead, the discussion has been moving toward new tax incentives — Newsom’s new bill doubling California’s annual tax credit program to $750 million a year, calls for a federal tax incentive for film and TV — and away from the idea of penalizing productions that shoot outside the country.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Professional development for teachers focuses on positive, rather than punitive, behavioral and engagement practices.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
-
As a result, some districts are taking a punitive approach to chronic absenteeism.—
Eli Cahan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Second, fining parents for curfew violations may put extra financial pressure on families that are already struggling.—
Caitlin Cavanagh,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
While several universities have faced public backlash for disciplining students or faculty over commentary surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, other schools have quietly taken steps to reaffirm free speech.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Bad Apples seems like another entry into that canon, until Maria (Saoirse Ronan), a primary-school instructor reeling after a painful breakup, goes too far while disciplining a particularly disruptive pupil.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a post-draft interview on the Bills’ flagship radio station WGR 550-AM, Beane lashed out at the hosts for criticizing his lack of attention to wide receiver throughout the offseason.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Delhi has been consistently prioritizing cold interests over all else—engaging with the junta in Myanmar, refraining from openly criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, engaging both Iran and Israel, and getting closer toward recognizing the Taliban as Afghanistan’s official government.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even after those verdicts, sentencing for two of the defendants stalled for months — and in one case, more than two years — amid claims of ineffective lawyering and health problems.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Both asked the judge to consider their trial testimony before sentencing Combs.—
Rolling Stone,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Writing the human genome in its entirety could enable correcting any genetic condition, regardless of its complexity.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Rather, experts say the trend of inventory declines is a sign the Florida housing market is correcting itself.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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 21 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share