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
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
And the judge, whose prior decisions to delay Trump’s sentencing were partly based on his consideration of the case’s unique circumstances, may be reluctant to mete out a punishment on the president-elect.
—
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
California is one of eight states that still allow involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
Gianforte pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault and received a deferred 180-day sentence as part of his punishment.
—Brandon Conradis, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024
Similar constitutional amendments have been adopted in recent years in states including Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont, removing exceptions that allowed slavery or involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punishment 
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Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024
California is one of eight states that still allow involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.
—Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
Gianforte pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault and received a deferred 180-day sentence as part of his punishment.
—Brandon Conradis, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024
Similar constitutional amendments have been adopted in recent years in states including Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont, removing exceptions that allowed slavery or involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for punishment
Dictionary Entries Near punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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