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
The perception that there are inconsistent punishments for those who break those rules.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
According to the mission report, such cases amount to collective punishment — silencing not just individuals, but entire families.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Shannon Fairweather My punishment processing process would be a good 10 pages of journaling.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
The state case will proceed with other charges, including an intentional murder count that carries a potential punishment of 15 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for punishment
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Nick Miller, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
According to the mission report, such cases amount to collective punishment — silencing not just individuals, but entire families.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
Shannon Fairweather My punishment processing process would be a good 10 pages of journaling.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2025
The state case will proceed with other charges, including an intentional murder count that carries a potential punishment of 15 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 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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