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
Rafael Motamayor,
Variety,
24 June 2026
France has banned public alcohol consumption as Europe swelters under a punishing heat dome.
—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
The three-hour exam, which tests students on physics, chemistry and biology in a multiple-choice format, is among the country’s most punishing tests along with its engineering counterpart, the JEE, both demanding years of near-total devotion.
—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Add punishing tax treatment and capital constraints, and the case against entry seems overwhelming.
—
Peter Su,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
This also isn’t about punishing the wealthy or reducing competition or eliminating our state’s other advantages.
—
Alex Lee,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Those involved insist this is not about punishing either princess or making a statement about their personal conduct.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
17 June 2026
Paxton last week threatened to sue the Big 12 for more than $200 million, asserting that the conference punishing Texas Tech could violate a court order that allows Sorsby to play.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Temperatures will soar well into the 90s and near 100 degrees, with punishing humidity.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
13 June 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
Meanwhile, Bobby is soft-launching his relationship, which leads to Chane punishing Bobby by firing his restaurant partner, the Goose to Bobby’s Maverick.
—
Rafael Motamayor,
Variety,
24 June 2026
France has banned public alcohol consumption as Europe swelters under a punishing heat dome.
—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
23 June 2026
The three-hour exam, which tests students on physics, chemistry and biology in a multiple-choice format, is among the country’s most punishing tests along with its engineering counterpart, the JEE, both demanding years of near-total devotion.
—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Add punishing tax treatment and capital constraints, and the case against entry seems overwhelming.
—
Peter Su,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
This also isn’t about punishing the wealthy or reducing competition or eliminating our state’s other advantages.
—
Alex Lee,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
Those involved insist this is not about punishing either princess or making a statement about their personal conduct.
—
Allison Degrushe,
StyleCaster,
17 June 2026
Paxton last week threatened to sue the Big 12 for more than $200 million, asserting that the conference punishing Texas Tech could violate a court order that allows Sorsby to play.
—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
Temperatures will soar well into the 90s and near 100 degrees, with punishing humidity.
—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishing
Adjective
-
While the list carries few immediate legal repercussions, it’s widely considered a red flag to investors that can precede more punitive trade restrictions.
-
Management was also described as dismissive, punitive and unapproachable.
Verb
-
The sheriff’s office said the incidents in question proved that internal checks strengthened by court orders were working properly, and that the monitor was penalizing the department for following those orders and policies.
-
Missing the green was brutally penalizing, as well.
Verb
-
The idea of taxing, fining or otherwise demanding revenue from companies whose employees qualify for Medicaid is being debated in several states.
-
As 404 Media reports, Northern District of Mississippi judge Sharion Aycock berated everybody involved in a sanctions order, ultimately fining them, canceling the trial, and barring half of them from appearing in the district’s court for two years.
Verb
-
Current House rules allow any one lawmaker to force a vote on disciplining a colleague, setting the stage for censure clashes that have frequently become retaliatory grudge matches.
-
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.
Verb
-
Several had a history of criticizing vaccine recommendations or questioning their safety.
-
From Lebanon, Ghosn seized the moment, criticizing current leadership and offering himself as a solution.
Verb
-
Wednesday is sentencing day for Rex Heuermann, long the suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case that has loomed over Long Island for more than three decades.
-
This week, a jury in McKinney, Texas convicted 19-year-old Karmelo Anthony of murder, sentencing him to 35 years in prison for the killing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf at a track meet in April 2025.
Verb
-
Cut to Johnson attempting an overhead serve with his pickleball partner Candace (Mary Steenburgen) halting him mid leap and correcting his serve to underhand.
-
Sometimes, the market is just correcting an ownership imbalance.
Verb
-
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.
-
Almost immediately after releasing Einstein, Paliwal started receiving emails from professors chastising him for creating a tool seemingly designed to perpetuate academic fraud.
Cite this Entry
“Punishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishing. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
