PUNISHMENT Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

punishment

noun

ˈpə-nish-mənt

Definition of punishment

as in penalty

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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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 punishment The crime spurred long-running conversations in her home about crime, punishment and how society should respond after someone commits an act of violence. — Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 The parliament in England created laws against Quakers, forbidding them to worship freely, charging them with punishments for refusing to take oaths or refusing to remove their hats. — Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 3 July 2026 Wildfires have also scorched thousands of acres in Arizona, which led Phoenix to ban all fireworks on city property including parks and within 1 mile of nature preserves, with punishments including $2,500 fines. — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 While waiting to go to court, Zaayer remained adamant that Shawna needed to go to prison but was also convinced that David — who worked at the nearby jail — was protecting his wife from receiving an adequate punishment, per The Guardian. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for punishment

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punishment

Noun

Egypt defeated Australia 4-2 in a penalty-kick shootout Friday after the teams played to a 1-1 tie after 120 minutes in Arlington, Texas.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
After the penalty granted by VAR, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped into the box and scored his first carrer goal in a World Cup knockout match.

— Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of penalty

Noun

But some have faced pushback, including when two Boise men faced the wrath of their homeowners association for replacing their grass with turf, in part to save water.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026
Or, faced with the wrath of the huge Baby Boom generation — who tend to be voters and vociferous — will Congress act in time?

— Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

Definition of wrath

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punishing

punishment

punishments

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“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punishment. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of punishment

noun

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