be punished

VERB

face the music

Synonyms

WEAK

bite the bullet come to grips with face the facts face up to face up to it grin and bear it look square in the eye make one's bed and lie on it pay the piper swallow the pill take one's lumps take one's medicine take the consequences

VERB

pay

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compensate

STRONG

answer atone suffer

WEAK

suffer consequences

Antonyms

WEAK

earn lose

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.

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week warned insurers they could be punished if they delay or deny claims.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Those that fail to adapt will not need to be punished by fines that are often difficult to collect.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

The abolitionists also assert that women should be punished not for abortion but for homicide.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

"I was sad. But it was terrible what she did and she should be punished," Bill Clinton said.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

What would be worse than to be punished is to be exposed.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse