punish
verb
pun·ish ˈpə-nish 
punished; punishing; punishes
transitive verb
1
a
: to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or violation
b
: to inflict a penalty for the commission of (an offense) in retribution or retaliation
2
a
: to deal with roughly or harshly
b
: to inflict injury on : hurt
intransitive verb
: to inflict punishment
punishability
ˌpə-nish-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē
noun punishable
ˈpə-nish-ə-bəl
adjective punisher noun
Synonyms
- castigate
- chasten
- chastise
- correct
- discipline
- penalize
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
I think that murderers should be punished by life imprisonment. She was punished for lying. His parents punished him by taking away his allowance. How should I punish my child's misbehavior? State law punishes fraud with fines.
Recent Examples on the Web Roth said denying new moms and pregnant women a chance to go home and await trial, like other defendants, can also punish children. 
al, 7 Sep. 2022 The surge in the price of food, fertilizer and fuel as a result of the sanctions will punish the far-flung innocent poor the most. Tilak Doshi, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 But the administration was bitterly disappointed at the refusal of most African nations to support the U.S.-led Western effort to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 The staggering results are mostly tied to the West’s effort to punish Russia for the unprovoked attack on its neighbor by cutting off its energy sales. Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 29 July 2022 Here’s how efforts to punish the cops failed despite a nationwide push for police accountability. Celina Tebor, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022 The decision to punish the animal instead of the people. New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 There also is a binding decision in the Second Circuit thanks to Brady that the CBA affords Goodell broad discretion to punish players. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 The decision to punish Jones in such terms also comes at a seismic moment in American society, where the lies and conspiracy theories have flourished in recent years. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 See More
al, 7 Sep. 2022 The surge in the price of food, fertilizer and fuel as a result of the sanctions will punish the far-flung innocent poor the most. Tilak Doshi, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 But the administration was bitterly disappointed at the refusal of most African nations to support the U.S.-led Western effort to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2022 The staggering results are mostly tied to the West’s effort to punish Russia for the unprovoked attack on its neighbor by cutting off its energy sales. Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 29 July 2022 Here’s how efforts to punish the cops failed despite a nationwide push for police accountability. Celina Tebor, USA TODAY, 24 Aug. 2022 The decision to punish the animal instead of the people. New York Times, 19 Aug. 2022 There also is a binding decision in the Second Circuit thanks to Brady that the CBA affords Goodell broad discretion to punish players. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Aug. 2022 The decision to punish Jones in such terms also comes at a seismic moment in American society, where the lies and conspiracy theories have flourished in recent years. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 4 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English punisshen, from Anglo-French puniss-, stem of punir, from Latin punire, from poena penalty — more at pain entry 1
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Kids Definition
punish
verb
pun·ish ˈpə-nish
punished; punishing
1
: to make suffer for a fault or crime
The child was punished for lying.
2
: to make someone suffer for (as a crime)
The law punishes theft.
Legal Definition
punish
transitive verb
pun·ish ˈpə-nish
1
: to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or violation
2
: to inflict a penalty for the commission of (an offense) in retribution or retaliation or as a deterrent
intransitive verb
: to inflict punishment
punished
verb
as in penalized
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
Relevance
- penalized
- fined
- convicted
- sentenced
- chastised
- criticized
- disciplined
- corrected
- condemned
- chastened
- castigated
- reprimanded
- assessed
- imposed
- charged
- levied
- denounced
- rebuked
- mulcted
- reproved
- docked
- damned
- keelhauled
- wreaked
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- excused
- pardoned
- spared
- forfeited
- released
- acquitted
- ransomed
- exonerated
- vindicated
- absolved
- reprieved
- commuted
- exculpated
- got off