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Definitions

what for

NOUN
punishment
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
Antonyms
STRONGEST
award happiness reward
STRONG
indulgence
WEAK
encouragement exoneration praise protection
NOUN
reprimand
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonition censure rebuke
STRONG
admonishment blame castigation chiding grooming lecture ragging rap reprehension reproof scolding tongue-lashing
WEAK
bawling-out calling down dressing-down hard time piece of one's mind slap on wrist talking-to telling-off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment praise
STRONG
commendation
WEAK
forgiveness reward
NOUN
retribution
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comeuppance compensation punishment reckoning redress reprisal retaliation revenge vengeance
STRONG
counterblow justice recompense repayment requital reward satisfaction
WEAK
avengement avenging eye for an eye revanche
Antonyms
STRONGEST
forgiveness pardon sympathy

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.

He was earning what for the mid-Victorian era counted as a small fortune, but no fewer than four households of assorted relatives relied on his largesse.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

They wrote: “Mortgage costs are a decisive factor in consumers’ assessment of their ability to make what for many Americans amounts to the most meaningful purchase of their lives.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

She was determined to shine a light on what, for many Americans on both sides of the color line, is a hidden and forgotten history.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025

Snoeijs, who is now 29 and an experienced Netherlands international, can speak matter-of-factly about what for many would be a trepidatious hospital visit.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

Every Talmudic passage is composed of what, for the sake of convenience, might best be called thought units.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok