punishment
noun
pun·ish·ment
ˈpə-nish-mənt 
1
: the act of punishing
2
a
: suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution
b
: a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure
3
: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment
Examples of punishment in a Sentence
I took away my daughter's car keys as a punishment for her bad behavior.
The punishments that the government has inflicted on the protesters are severe and unjust.
The punishment for murder is life imprisonment.
Some religions teach that wicked people will suffer eternal punishment in hell after they die.
Recent Examples on the Web
Xavier Guzman pleaded guilty in 2023, but received his punishment after the case against his co-defendant, Emilio Corripio, 20, resolved with a guilty plea in March.
—
Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025
But over the last decade, a sea change in state discipline policy — one born in part out of an understanding that such suspensions disproportionately affect Black, Latino and Indigenous students — largely outlawed that kind of punishment.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Something from your past may be circling back for closure, not punishment.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
The club is respecting the MLS process in determining if Rosales said something that would warrant punishment.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2025
But over the last decade, a sea change in state discipline policy — one born in part out of an understanding that such suspensions disproportionately affect Black, Latino and Indigenous students — largely outlawed that kind of punishment.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Something from your past may be circling back for closure, not punishment.
—Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025
The club is respecting the MLS process in determining if Rosales said something that would warrant punishment.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punishment
noun
pun·ish·ment
ˈpən-ish-mənt
1
a
: the act of punishing
b
: the state or fact of being punished
persons undergoing punishment
2
: the penalty for a fault or crime
the punishment for robbery
3
: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment
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