as in penalizing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in punitive
Related Words
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 punishing
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Authoritarian approaches to governing rely on scapegoating people, policing thought and speech, and punishing dissent.
—Elizabeth Anne Wood, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Whether the Monster is part of Ana’s imagination or not, the scene carries a fragile, haunting power, suggesting that the only person capable of rescuing Ana from the pervasive mystery and misery of her home life belongs to the supernatural, outside the punishing borders of Franco’s Spain.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
The superpowers imposed punishing tariffs on one another earlier this year, only to lower them, and had for months been discussing a trade deal.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Why exactly is the deal so punishing?
—Mara Weinraub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Ready to quit punishing yourself?
—Usa Today, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Supplying Tomahawks would again take Trump further than his predecessor in punishing Russia.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Dudamel and the orchestra delivered the score with absolute conviction and an almost punishing vehemence.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The fact that the NBA cleared Rozier at the time does not mean the league is prevented from punishing him later.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Authoritarian approaches to governing rely on scapegoating people, policing thought and speech, and punishing dissent.
—Elizabeth Anne Wood, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Whether the Monster is part of Ana’s imagination or not, the scene carries a fragile, haunting power, suggesting that the only person capable of rescuing Ana from the pervasive mystery and misery of her home life belongs to the supernatural, outside the punishing borders of Franco’s Spain.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025
The superpowers imposed punishing tariffs on one another earlier this year, only to lower them, and had for months been discussing a trade deal.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Why exactly is the deal so punishing?
—Mara Weinraub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025
Ready to quit punishing yourself?
—Usa Today, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Supplying Tomahawks would again take Trump further than his predecessor in punishing Russia.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Dudamel and the orchestra delivered the score with absolute conviction and an almost punishing vehemence.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishing
Verb
-
By addressing one of the most persistent inefficiencies in combination vehicles, Tesla could make towing more energy-efficient and less aerodynamically penalizing, reinforcing the Cybertruck’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of both style and functionality, reports Electrek.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Oct. 2025
-
But there is no provision in the law penalizing states for doing that.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
His legal team condemned the plan as unconstitutional and punitive, warning that without assurances from Liberia, Abrego Garcia could be sent back to El Salvador.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Professional development for teachers focuses on positive, rather than punitive, behavioral and engagement practices.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Second, fining parents for curfew violations may put extra financial pressure on families that are already struggling.—
Caitlin Cavanagh,
The Conversation,
15 Oct. 2025
-
The Lynx have drawn the ire of the league over the past week after reportedly fining Reeve $15,000 for her criticism after Game 3.—
Trevor Squire,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The amendment also makes several changes to the commission’s process for disciplining judges.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Oct. 2025
-
While several universities have faced public backlash for disciplining students or faculty over commentary surrounding Charlie Kirk’s assassination, other schools have quietly taken steps to reaffirm free speech.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of criticizing yourself for not following through, get curious.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Trump has argued the White House needs a large entertaining space, criticizing the past practice of presidents hosting state dinners and other large events in tents on the South Lawn.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mark Stoner stepped down as judge in 2024 Stoner was the same judge who drew the ire of Indianapolis' police union in 2024 for sentencing police officer Breann Leath's killer to 25 years in prison rather than 63 requested by prosecutors.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Even after those verdicts, sentencing for two of the defendants stalled for months — and in one case, more than two years — amid claims of ineffective lawyering and health problems.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But instead of tripping in frustration, Benioff rose to the threefold leadership challenge of correcting a media misunderstanding, pulling off another tentpole event for his company, and contributing a major economic boost to his beloved San Francisco.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
To thank is peony root extract, which visibly improves dullness and uneven tone, and the powder’s color-correcting pigments.—
Deanna Pai,
Allure,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If your child has already tried the trend, according to experts, parents should refrain from chastising them or using scare tactics.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
21 Aug. 2025
-
This after having spent days talking about the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory as part of some sort of agreement, and chastising Ukraine — invaded unprovoked by a much larger neighbor — of starting the war itself.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Punishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishing. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share