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
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
School personnel also would be prohibited from referring truant students to police to be ticketed as punishment.
—
Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 28 May 2025
The punishment was far less than the maximum six-month sentence sought by the government but more than the probation that Papadopoulos and his lawyers had asked for.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Critics say the powerful tool encroaches on the privacy of everyday people, risking undue punishment or discrimination, the experts said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 May 2025
Instead, a new enforcement committee – the College Sports Commission – will be in charge of doling out punishments for rule-breakers.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 28 May 2025
The punishment was far less than the maximum six-month sentence sought by the government but more than the probation that Papadopoulos and his lawyers had asked for.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Critics say the powerful tool encroaches on the privacy of everyday people, risking undue punishment or discrimination, the experts said.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 May 2025
Instead, a new enforcement committee – the College Sports Commission – will be in charge of doling out punishments for rule-breakers.
—Alex Sherman, CNBC, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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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