discipline 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-sə-plən How to pronounce discipline (audio)
Definition of disciplinenext
1
as in department
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence you must choose a discipline to focus on in college

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in punishment
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense harsh discipline was imposed to keep order within the ranks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in restraint
the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others she lacks the discipline that's essential for a job in customer relations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discipline

2 of 2

verb

as in to punish
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime the pranksters were severely disciplined for their irresponsible stunt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word discipline distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of discipline are castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, and punish. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

When is castigate a more appropriate choice than discipline?

The meanings of castigate and discipline largely overlap; however, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When would chasten be a good substitute for discipline?

The synonyms chasten and discipline are sometimes interchangeable, but chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

When can chastise be used instead of discipline?

While the synonyms chastise and discipline are close in meaning, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When might correct be a better fit than discipline?

While in some cases nearly identical to discipline, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When is it sensible to use punish instead of discipline?

The words punish and discipline can be used in similar contexts, but punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

Example 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 discipline
Noun
Covering both disciplines will be appearances by Nicole Stott, former astronaut and outer-space watercolorist. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026 Protective planning as a long-term discipline Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of future-proof asset protection is timing. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
There’s also little evidence to suggest that foreign investors have, or would, use their holdings in American assets as a tool to discipline the Oval Office. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026 Teachers do not come to school looking to discipline children. —Lance Walters, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for discipline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discipline
  1. department
  2. punishment
  3. restraint
  4. punish
  5. area
  6. penalty
  7. repression
  8. element
Noun
  • The department has helped remove almost 350,000 pounds of trash and more than 920 pesticide containers from grows on public lands over nearly a decade.
    — Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
  • However, the charter amendment would not prevent the city council from creating a new department at its discretion, a city spokesperson said in an email to the Star-Telegram.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of department
Noun
  • Santa Clara, California — Mike Vrabel made his nnname in the NFL as a crunching outside linebacker, delivering punishment to opposing offenses and blowing up their plays on his way to winning multiple Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
  • He was sentenced to an unconditional discharge, leaving his conviction intact but sparing him any punishment.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of punishment
Noun
  • Maryland’s budget process is designed to promote transparency and fiscal restraint.
    — J.B. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The verdict signals that prolonged prone restraint during mental health crises is dangerous, potentially changing how juvenile detention centers handle distressed teens.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of restraint
Verb
  • But Einhorn said the stock was unfairly punished given the return of an old CEO, as well as an improving balance sheet.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
  • What followed was not chaos, but something more deliberate—a narrowing of what could be said publicly, to punish those who spoke up, and to quietly erase stories that needed to be told.
    — Adrianne Wright, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of punish
Noun
  • Detectives noted a consistent gait and distinctive walking pattern across videos captured before and after the shooting, including footage showing the suspect circling the area for hours and later walking away from the Barus & Holley building shortly after the gunfire.
    — Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Prescott's downtown area adds the perfect southwest charm and history and was even the stomping grounds of famed cowboy Doc Holiday.
    — Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of area
Noun
  • The child may use the money without penalty to help pay for college or buy a first home.
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
  • That first penalty was decisive and controversial.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of penalty
Noun
  • The director frames the film as an immersion into the mind of one such figure — shaped by social discontent, inequality and state repression — who triggers revolt to avenge the death of his dog.
    — Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Research on Arab diaspora activism documents shows how governments deter dissent through transnational repression.
    — Michael Paarlberg, The Conversation, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of repression
Noun
  • The team analyzed 44 elements and found no single universal reaction to space; instead, microbial metabolism changed in distinct, element-specific ways.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Feb. 2026
  • Sugar does have benefits for feeding cut flowers, which is why it's added to the mixtures used by florists, but in flower food formulas, the sucrose is blended with antimicrobial elements to keep the water free from bacteria.
    — Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of element

Browse Nearby Words

disciplinary
discipline
disciplined
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Cite this Entry

“Discipline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discipline. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on discipline

Nglish: Translation of discipline for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about discipline

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