as in penalties
suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense
he is serving five years in prison as punishment for aggravated assault
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Recent Examples of punishments
But studies show that punishments are ineffective at reducing substance use and can lead to poorer health outcomes for women, newborns, and families.
—
Shoshana Walter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
That left the Clintons with little choice but to agree to testify or face one of the most severe punishments Congress can give.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Still, the prospect of a vote raised the potential for Congress to use one of its most severe punishments against a former president for the first time.
—Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright announced harsher punishments for students who receive unexcused absences, including Saturday school detention and lost exemptions for final exams.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
There were punishments, too, leaving scars and black eyes.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Now that the dust has settled on an Africa Cup of Nations final that will be remembered for years, African soccer’s governing body has handed out punishments for the chaos that ensued.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Under the new agreement, brand-limiting NCAA punishments against any of those three programs would trigger the same 30% reduction, while men’s hockey would be subject to a smaller, 20% cut.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The possible punishments for being found in contempt of Congress is a fine of up to $100,000 and prison time of no more than 12 months.
—Mike Stunson, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Shoshana Walter, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
That left the Clintons with little choice but to agree to testify or face one of the most severe punishments Congress can give.
—Stephen Groves, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Still, the prospect of a vote raised the potential for Congress to use one of its most severe punishments against a former president for the first time.
—Stephen Groves, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
On Tuesday, Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright announced harsher punishments for students who receive unexcused absences, including Saturday school detention and lost exemptions for final exams.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
There were punishments, too, leaving scars and black eyes.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
Now that the dust has settled on an Africa Cup of Nations final that will be remembered for years, African soccer’s governing body has handed out punishments for the chaos that ensued.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Under the new agreement, brand-limiting NCAA punishments against any of those three programs would trigger the same 30% reduction, while men’s hockey would be subject to a smaller, 20% cut.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The possible punishments for being found in contempt of Congress is a fine of up to $100,000 and prison time of no more than 12 months.
—Mike Stunson, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishments
penalties
Noun
-
There needs to be penalties apply to the bill, so schools will comply with the law.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
But Ridley said the bill’s penalties for illicit drug possession or use still would create problems for many providers.—
Robin Opsahl,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Punishments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishments. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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