as in penalties
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
he is serving five years in prison as punishment for aggravated assault
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Recent Examples of punishments
Arbitrary rulemaking and punishments, absurdism and fringe beliefs are part and parcel of Lanthimos’ storytelling.
—
Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The college football season has now reached its midway point, and while numerous punishments have already been handed down to programs this year—most stemming from field-storming incidents—Tuesday brought a notable enforcement under a different policy.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Harrison has come under fire from the law enforcement ranks and families of crime victims who felt her punishments were too lenient.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 14 Oct. 2025
India’s new anti-betting law poses serious punishments for offenders, including potential prison terms for people who facilitate, promote or finance for-money online gaming.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Now under new ownership, with their star out for a very long time and the looming punishments of repeating in the second apron, the Celtics decided to gut the team for financial reasons.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
If convicted of the charges, Griffith faces punishments ranging from a fine of $1 to 270 days in jail.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
The possible punishments vary dramatically.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Overzealous policing of speech has already led to punishments for comments critical of Kirk’s positions and supporters.
—Michael Bloomberg, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
The college football season has now reached its midway point, and while numerous punishments have already been handed down to programs this year—most stemming from field-storming incidents—Tuesday brought a notable enforcement under a different policy.
—Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Harrison has come under fire from the law enforcement ranks and families of crime victims who felt her punishments were too lenient.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 14 Oct. 2025
India’s new anti-betting law poses serious punishments for offenders, including potential prison terms for people who facilitate, promote or finance for-money online gaming.
—Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Now under new ownership, with their star out for a very long time and the looming punishments of repeating in the second apron, the Celtics decided to gut the team for financial reasons.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
If convicted of the charges, Griffith faces punishments ranging from a fine of $1 to 270 days in jail.
—Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
The possible punishments vary dramatically.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
Overzealous policing of speech has already led to punishments for comments critical of Kirk’s positions and supporters.
—Michael Bloomberg, Twin Cities, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishments
penalties
Noun
-
The Justice Department, in its defense of the tariffs, has highlighted the expansive way Trump has used them, arguing that the trade penalties are part of his power over foreign affairs, an area where the courts should not second-guess the president.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Violating the law could result in various penalties depending on the severity of the situation, including fines or jail time.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punishments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishments. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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