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.

Meanwhile, Salieri’s invisible seething paralyzes him, turning into the punishment he believes God inflicted on him.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Is there any real punishment if Saints are in the Premier League next season?

From BBC • May 13, 2026

They suggest this may represent a medieval form of "fake news," or perhaps an exaggerated story intended to frighten people with warnings of divine punishment.

From Science Daily • May 13, 2026

As well as campaigning against capital punishment and the obligatory headscarf for women, she has also regularly predicted the downfall of the clerical system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

‘If it happens again, she faces punishment like everyone else.’

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Vocabulary lists containing punishment

Psychology

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"Nadia the Willful"

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The House of Hades

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