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 Chung’s attorneys argue their client is one in a line of noncitizens, including Khalil and Ranjani Srinivasan, being punished by the Trump administration for speaking out in support of Palestinian rights. —Taylor Romine, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025 Blackmailed by a shadowy figure, Lazarus, she’s forced by Lazarus to punish other rapists who have not been brought to justice. —John Hopewell, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025 Even majorettes marched at sharp angles, hats tilted over our right eyebrows; we were punished for cracking a smile. —The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025 Dana Edwards/Reuters President Donald Trump has made good on his threats to punish and investigate colleges. —Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 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
  • In a close 5-4 decision, the Court ultimately penalized the Trump Administration by rejecting the addition of a citizenship question on process—not substantive—grounds.
    — Made by History, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has argued the tariffs are necessary to penalize Canada for not stopping the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., framing the move as a matter of national security.
    — Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of penalize
Verb
  • If the city fails to meet those conditions, the judge's order prohibits the city from citing, arresting or fining people for camping on public property.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • If convicted for this Class I Felony offense, the defendant could be fined up to $10,000 and/or be sentenced to up to three years and six months in prison.
    — Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of fine
Verb
  • In a video posted to X, Brand thanked his fans for messages of support, then criticized the British government and legal system before addressing the charges directly.
    — Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Critics of executive overreach have long criticized the Office of Legal Counsel as too permissive.
    — Charlie Savage, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of criticize
Verb
  • Plus, Lucky Duck showed up to chastise the panelists — to their faces.
    — Lauren Huff, EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The president on Friday chastised China over its decision to lavish retaliatory tariffs.
    — Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of chastise
Verb
  • He was convicted of criminal fraud charges in 2022 and sentenced in 2023 to four years in prison, but has been free on bond pending an appeal.
    — Erin Alberty, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Lerma, 68, hasn’t walked the streets of his hometown on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County since the 1980s, when he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of sentence
Verb
  • Michael Madigan was convicted of bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges in February and is awaiting sentencing.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Velazquez was wrongly convicted of murder and spent 23 years in prison.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of convict
Verb
  • Reisinger-Kindle has been licensed in Illinois since 2022 and has never been disciplined, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
  • But can such a predatory approach, however disciplined, succeed in realigning the Western Hemisphere with U.S. interests?
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of discipline
Verb
  • This story has been corrected to show the name of the residents' group is Eaton Fire Residents United, not Eaton Fire Residents Unite.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Both things were handled during and throughout the boot camp, and Ray was correcting us.
    — Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 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 15 Apr. 2025.

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