punishments

NOUN

penalty

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abuse beating discipline forfeiture retribution sanction suffering torture trial

STRONG

amercement castigation chastening chastisement comeuppance confiscation correction deprivation forfeit gallows infliction lumps maltreatment mortification mulct ostracism pain penance proof purgatory reparation rod sequestration unhappiness victimization

WEAK

disciplinary action hard work punitive measures rough treatment short shrift what for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

award happiness reward

STRONG

indulgence

WEAK

encouragement exoneration praise protection

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

punishments

Following the Banyuetan report, other state media rushed to denounce insider leaks and demand a crackdown—such as by strengthening censorship algorithms and issuing stern punishments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

No reason was given, beyond citing a rule that allows punishments to be suspended.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Blumenfield, who authored a motion to start the process, called the law, along with its punishments of a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail, “uncommonly silly.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

The king of Ithaca’s pride in his ingenious trick is steadily sapped by a series of cosmic punishments.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

I had been shaking my fist, thinking of all kinds of punishments for Vonetta.

From "Gone Crazy in Alabama" by Rita Williams-Garcia