Synonyms of punishment

punishment

noun

ˈpə-nish-mənt 

as in penalty

suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense

he is serving five years in prison as punishment for aggravated assault

Synonyms & Similar Words

• penalty
• wrath
• sentence
• chastisement
• discipline
• castigation
• correction
• comeuppance
• condemnation
• retribution
• nemesis
• retaliation
• revenge
• reprimand
• vengeance
• desert(s)
• reprisal
• fine
• criticism
• imprisonment
• assessment
• example
• confinement
• incarceration
• damnation
• censure
• charge
• rebuke
• mulct
• denouncement
• reproof

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• parole
• indemnity
• pardon
• amnesty
• vindication
• acquittal
• exemption
• immunity
• exoneration
• impunity
• release
• exculpation
• forgiveness
• commutation
• remission
• reprieve
• absolution
• disregard
• condonation
• remitment
• overlooking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of punishment

The Florida high school football team that got into a postgame fight with Grayson on Friday was handed a strong punishment. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 8 Oct. 2026

City could face a points deduction or a relegation to a lower-tier league on top of fines or individual punishments for team executives. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026

In a September complaint, Bonta alleged that from 2018-19 through the first half of 2024-25, Black students received exclusionary punishments at about 4 times the rate of White students at the district. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Following an investigation by the university at the time, two of the men were expelled, while the other five received lesser punishment. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026