Synonyms of punishing

punishing 1 of 2

adjective

as in punitive

Related Words

• punitive
• advisory
• counseling
• moralistic
• didactic
• admonishing
• moralizing
• warning
• admonitory
• monitory
• cautionary
• exemplary
• premonitory
• cautioning

punishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of punish

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

• penalizing
• fining
• disciplining
• criticizing
• sentencing
• correcting
• chastising
• convicting
• assessing
• castigating
• imposing
• chastening
• condemning
• charging
• levying
• reprimanding
• denouncing
• mulcting
• docking
• rebuking
• damning
• wreaking
• reproving
• keelhauling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sparing
• excusing
• pardoning
• forfeiting
• releasing
• commuting
• getting off
• ransoming
• vindicating
• exonerating
• acquitting
• absolving
• exculpating
• reprieving

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of punishing

Adjective

The tragedy unfolds amid a punishing Western wildfire season driven by dry weather, scant snowpack, heat and erratic winds. — Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Pair him with Sharpe, and the Nets could build one of the league’s most punishing center rotations on the glass. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026

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

The system would also need to survive punishing off-road conditions. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Onshoring hasn’t taken off as a runaway trend even as the current political administration exacts punishing duties on offshore production markets far and wide. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

That Carmela mostly keeps her frustration in check, never punishing Julián for his innocent mischief, speaks to how the film challenges stereotypes around Latino households. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

During the first day of the charter, Sandy notices that Nathan is punishing Joe for pouting in the previous charter, which wins her over to Joe’s side. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

How to punish Russia, a systemically important oil producer, without punishing yourself in the process? — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026

Amid an oppressive stretch of extreme heat and Florida-esque humidity that has been punishing much of California, consider, for a moment, the Ice Age. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Governor supports Ford Croley said Duffy’s letter did not allude to any suggestion of punishing Ford and the Department of Transportation does not have authority or jurisdiction over the issues raised in the letter. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2026

East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued a preliminary injunction barring the SEC and NCAA from punishing schools that bring in ex-pros. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026