punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment ˈpə-nish-mənt 

1

: the act of punishing

2

a

: suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution

b

: a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure

3

: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

Synonyms of punishment

• penalty
• wrath

Examples of punishment in a Sentence

I took away my daughter's car keys as a punishment for her bad behavior.

The punishments that the government has inflicted on the protesters are severe and unjust.

The punishment for murder is life imprisonment.

Some religions teach that wicked people will suffer eternal punishment in hell after they die.

Recent Examples on the Web

Worse still, Shawn could not stop thinking about the violent punishment that would be inflicted should the stranger be caught. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

What is the most appropriate punishment for showing up late to practice? — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Simple activities or routines at a treatment center could overstimulate Pike and set off a cycle of meltdowns and punishments. — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Before the fans left, coach Fran Brown had his team back on the field running sprints as punishment for the scare. — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing punishment

• capital punishment
• corporal punishment
• cruel and unusual punishment
• glutton for punishment
• self-punishment
• sucker for punishment

Kids Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment ˈpən-ish-mənt 

1

a

: the act of punishing

b

: the state or fact of being punished

persons undergoing punishment

2

: the penalty for a fault or crime

the punishment for robbery

3

: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment

Legal Definition

punishment

noun

pun·​ish·​ment

1

: the act of punishing

2

: a penalty (as a fine or imprisonment) inflicted on an offender through the judicial and especially criminal process see also cruel and unusual punishment