PUNISH Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'punish' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of punish are castigate , chasten , chastise , correct , and discipline . While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing. // punished for stealing

Q: When is 'castigate' a more appropriate choice than 'punish'?

Although the words castigate and punish have much in common, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure. // an editorial castigating the entire city council

Q: When might 'chasten' be a better fit than 'punish'?

The meanings of chasten and punish largely overlap; however, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued. // chastened by a landslide election defeat

Q: In what contexts can 'chastise' take the place of 'punish'?

In some situations, the words chastise and punish are roughly equivalent. However, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation. // chastised his son for neglecting his studies

Q: When can 'correct' be used instead of 'punish'?

The words correct and punish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender. // the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Q: When would 'discipline' be a good substitute for 'punish'?

The words discipline and punish can be used in similar contexts, but discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control. // parents must discipline their children

punish

verb

ˈpə-nish

Definition of punish next

as in to penalize

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime the child was punished for breaking dishes on purpose if caught, the thief will be severely punished

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word punish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of punish are castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, and discipline. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

When is castigate a more appropriate choice than punish?

Although the words castigate and punish have much in common, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When might chasten be a better fit than punish?

The meanings of chasten and punish largely overlap; however, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

In what contexts can chastise take the place of punish?

In some situations, the words chastise and punish are roughly equivalent. However, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When can correct be used instead of punish?

The words correct and punish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When would discipline be a good substitute for punish?

The words discipline and punish can be used in similar contexts, but discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of punish His sentence this week marked the end of a five-year-old case that sought to punish the bribe taker and the bribe giver. —

Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024 Paradoxically, the efforts to punish him, legally, ended up propelling him back from political irrelevance to the top of the Republican ticket. —

Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 One thing that did hold true across elections was that voters with an unfavorable view of the economy punished the incumbent party. —

Paolo Confino, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024 Transactional The hallmark of transactional leadership is giving a clear objective and then rewarding or punishing employees based on performance. —

Jason Miller, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for punish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish

Verb

For example, under BIPA, schools collecting or storing biometric data through WDS could face lawsuits, as seen in cases where companies were penalized for gathering data without consent.

Chris Ciabarra, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
In addition to the special teams blunders, the Commanders were penalized eight times for a season-high 78 yards.

C.J. Doon, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024