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
Leadership strategies that involve coercion, and emphasize punishment, don’t feel very modern.
—
Chris Westfall, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Columbia University on Thursday announced some students who occupied a campus building last spring during anti-Israel protests would face a range of punishments, including expulsions and suspensions.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Those who practice gentle parenting aim to raise their kids without shame, to avoid punishment, approach them with compassion, and to use discipline with consistent boundaries rather than resorting to yelling, bribing, and demands.
—Jana Pollack, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Hoffman's planned execution was set for a particularly busy week of executions in America, with five states, including Louisiana, expected to carry out punishment.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Chris Westfall, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Columbia University on Thursday announced some students who occupied a campus building last spring during anti-Israel protests would face a range of punishments, including expulsions and suspensions.
—Louis Casiano, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Those who practice gentle parenting aim to raise their kids without shame, to avoid punishment, approach them with compassion, and to use discipline with consistent boundaries rather than resorting to yelling, bribing, and demands.
—Jana Pollack, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Hoffman's planned execution was set for a particularly busy week of executions in America, with five states, including Louisiana, expected to carry out punishment.
—Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 11 Mar. 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 22 Mar. 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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