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.

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

These rules also applied broad definitions on the kind of actions that would trigger punishment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

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

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

Leicester were "disappointed" when it was announced they were docked six points on 5 February and described the punishment as "disproportionate".

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

I swung them in anticipation of Mom’s punishment.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Vocabulary lists containing punishment

Psychology

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"Nadia the Willful"

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The House of Hades

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