as in penalized
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
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Recent Examples of punished
Ortiz was punished the following year with his removal from Welch’s leadership team.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Haiti learned this as the first Black republic, punished for its freedom through debt, isolation and destabilization that echoes into this moment.
—Sheena Rolle, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Erin Bailey, a defense attorney in South Carolina who represented Maddie and others, said women should not be punished for taking matters into their own hands.
—Shoshana Walter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Universities are under threat of government interference, book banning has reached unprecedented levels, journalists and artists and media outlets and attorneys are being punished, silenced, and doxed, and dissent everywhere is being criminalized.
—Gioia Woods, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
This is the guy, after all, who renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America with one of his first executive orders in his second term and has punished news agencies that refuse to comply.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
There is no reason to back down while laws are being broken and rioters are not punished.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
They can be punished for doing so.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Haiti learned this as the first Black republic, punished for its freedom through debt, isolation and destabilization that echoes into this moment.
—Sheena Rolle, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Erin Bailey, a defense attorney in South Carolina who represented Maddie and others, said women should not be punished for taking matters into their own hands.
—Shoshana Walter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Universities are under threat of government interference, book banning has reached unprecedented levels, journalists and artists and media outlets and attorneys are being punished, silenced, and doxed, and dissent everywhere is being criminalized.
—Gioia Woods, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
This is the guy, after all, who renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America with one of his first executive orders in his second term and has punished news agencies that refuse to comply.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
There is no reason to back down while laws are being broken and rioters are not punished.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
They can be punished for doing so.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punished
Verb
-
The rookie tackle let up a sack and was penalized for a false start.—
Doug Kyed,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
-
For every target missed during the competition, the athlete will be penalized.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
His mismanagement was so reckless that key duties were stripped from the agency, & he was fined by the Texas Ethics Commission for misusing state & campaign funds.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Drivers also risk being fined by TLC Police, who are actively enforcing against Empower trips.—
Naomi Ruchim,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), investigators have opened more than 3,800 treason investigations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with more than 1,200 individuals already found guilty and sentenced.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Kenneth Heath was also charged with Sheridan's murder, but was sentenced to life in prison as part of a plea agreement.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Most of the revelations in the files have not revealed journalistic sins, but have highlighted uncomfortably close relationships with New York media figures and a man who had been convicted of soliciting a minor.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The two activists convicted in the case, Andy Li and Chan Tsz-wah, also testified for the prosecution.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Public health experts also criticized the president for making unfounded claims about highly politicized health issues.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze, is one of the most prominent figures in a coaching culture that has long been criticized for prioritizing thinness, disordered eating, and early peak performance over athletes’ well-being.—
Jasmine Wynn,
Time,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
None of the officers have been disciplined before, the department noted.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Automakers and dealers, the report said, will need to be especially precise and disciplined about monitoring what models, trims and prices are most appealing.—
The Detroit News,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Probation Department was previously chastised for this exact issue at Los Padrinos in July 2024.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Some viewed the discovery as a divine gift, while a local priest chastised the explorers for unearthing Satan, saying the blowout was God’s punishment.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The full inspections show how each establishment has corrected or is working to correct any remaining violations.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
8 Feb. 2026
-
An error in an application cannot be corrected after the deadline.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punished. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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