punishment

[puhn-ish-muhnt] / ˈpʌn ɪʃ mənt /

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.

A trial could cost as much as $3 million in legal fees and run the risk of greater punishment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

For many targets of SEC enforcement, including those who are innocent, this process is the punishment.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

Describing the punishment Southampton received as "ridiculous", Solak tried to downplay the seriousness of the club's cheating.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Sick of the punishment the Thunder were dishing out, he may or may not have urged his teammates to return the favor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

I had no idea what my punishment would be, but it would be bad.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks

Vocabulary lists containing punishment

Psychology

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"Nadia the Willful"

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The House of Hades

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