punish

verb

ˈpə-nish How to pronounce punish (audio)
Definition of punishnext
as in to penalize
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word punish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of punish are castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, and discipline. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

When is castigate a more appropriate choice than punish?

Although the words castigate and punish have much in common, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When might chasten be a better fit than punish?

The meanings of chasten and punish largely overlap; however, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

In what contexts can chastise take the place of punish?

In some situations, the words chastise and punish are roughly equivalent. However, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When can correct be used instead of punish?

The words correct and punish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When would discipline be a good substitute for punish?

The words discipline and punish can be used in similar contexts, but discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of punish Gild stresses the importance of career pathways, but in trades the best technician is often rewarded—or punished—by being made a supervisor. —Dan Ringo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Rather than lunging at Henry’s legs or trying to get immediately physical with the most physical, punishing runner in the league, Strong let his game prep do the talking. —Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa sent a trade delegation to the US in a bid to roll back punishing tariffs imposed by Washington. —Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Beijing has long rejected Western pressure to help stop Russia's war in Ukraine by punishing Moscow. —John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for punish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish
  1. penalize
  2. fine
  3. criticize
  4. chastise
  5. sentence
  6. convict
  7. discipline
  8. correct
Verb
  • Moreover, Washington didn’t penalize China or Turkey for purchasing Russian oil—only India.
    — Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Clubs could go below this threshold but be penalized in some fashion.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of penalize
Verb
  • The Pennsylvania agency and the Delaware Department of Insurance have fined Highmark and its health insurance subsidiaries at least four times in the past 10 years, including as recently as 2024 and 2023.
    — Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Since 1986, employers have required to verify workers' eligibility to work, and can be fined or jailed if caught knowingly breaking the law.
    — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of fine
Verb
  • Six separate receivers have caught touchdown passes already this season, a stark difference from a season ago when Green was criticized for being too reliant on a small number of playmakers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Like Kennedy, Anderson was criticized over the eight-minute tape, which was meant for private consumption and created by consenting spouses.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Stephen Colbert actually had to chastise his rambunctious audience about booing the fact the president is not dead.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • As Dexter questions why Batista’s death hurts so much, Brian chastises his brother for listening to Harry too much.
    — Nick Caruso, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of chastise
Verb
  • Borgwardt, who could not be reached for comment for this report, pleaded no contest last month to obstructing an officer and was sentenced to 89 days in jail.
    — Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Brown pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon in February 2015 and was sentenced to a minimum of six years and one month and a maximum of eight years and four months in prison.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of sentence
Verb
  • The act requires the detention, without bond, of non citizens charged with or convicted of crimes such as theft, assaulting a police officer or drunk driving.
    — Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Increasing Detection — and Penalties The report details strategies for both increasing the detection rate of poaching in America and also for reducing opportunities for poachers and increasing penalties for those convicted of wildlife crimes.
    — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of convict
Verb
  • Even if there is no criminal investigation, the NFL has the authority — in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement — to independently investigate allegations in a civil matter and discipline Hill under the league’s personal conduct policy.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
  • As part of additional protections for LGBTQIA+ students and staff, educators cannot be disciplined for using a student’s preferred name or pronouns, according to union spokesperson Megan Boldt Murphy.
    — Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of discipline
Verb
  • The Denver Post will update the story as quickly as possible to correct any errors.
    — The Denver Post, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Angels have worked to correct the technique.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

puniness
punish
punishable
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Cite this Entry

“Punish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punish. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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