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
Braner requested deeper dives on the punishment that Rady is likely to face if forced to resume gender care, on which other hospitals in California have taken similar actions, and on the specific status of young patients affected by the program’s sudden shutdown.
—
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
In November, the Pentagon opened an investigation into Kelly, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other punishment.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But that comes at a cost to the defendant, and it’s been said that the process itself is the punishment.
—John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, prosecutor Laura Adams said five years wasn’t enough of a punishment but was a fair resolution considering that evidence from 2006 may no longer be available.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
In November, the Pentagon opened an investigation into Kelly, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other punishment.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
But that comes at a cost to the defendant, and it’s been said that the process itself is the punishment.
—John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
During the hearing, prosecutor Laura Adams said five years wasn’t enough of a punishment but was a fair resolution considering that evidence from 2006 may no longer be available.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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