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.

Otherwise, stripping a defendant of profits is simply punishment, which is the domain of statutes and penalties, not of the flexible powers of equity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

“Shaming or punishment is just not the way to go,” Fields said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

The 13th Amendment abolished involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

"I bawled, I cried, and asked God why. I'd taken care of people my whole life. God told me he didn't have me there as punishment, but on purpose."

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

This was unusual, since many men viewed working for Rondon as a form of punishment.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple

Vocabulary lists containing punishment

Psychology

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"Nadia the Willful"

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The House of Hades

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