Punish

usgb/ˈpʌnɪʃ/
verb

To make someone suffer for a wrong they have done.

The judge punished the thief by sentencing him to five years in prison.
Visual representation of "punish" - To make someone suffer for a wrong they have done

Often appears as...

  • punish severely
  • punish for wrongdoing

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "punish"
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Justice Oriented

Used when someone deserves a penalty for breaking rules or laws.

Illustration for Justice Oriented
The school punished the student for cheating on the exam.
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Severity Spectrum

Can imply a range of severity from a mild penalty to harsh treatment.

Illustration for Severity Spectrum
The company punished the employee with a warning.
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Legally Grounded

Often associated with formal punishment by authorities or institutions.

Illustration for Legally Grounded
The court punished the corrupt official with a heavy fine.
Visual representation of the word "Punish"

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