punishment
noun
pun·ish·ment ˈpə-nish-mənt 
1
: the act of punishing
2
a
: suffering, pain, or loss that serves as retribution
b
: a penalty inflicted on an offender through judicial procedure
3
: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment
Examples of punishment in a Sentence
I took away my daughter's car keys as a punishment for her bad behavior. The punishments that the government has inflicted on the protesters are severe and unjust. The punishment for murder is life imprisonment. Some religions teach that wicked people will suffer eternal punishment in hell after they die.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lawmakers that year also changed Colorado law to prohibit such punishment. —
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 Jurors will now decide Horner’s punishment. —Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 In Colorado, the punishment for creating a risk of death is the same as intentionally causing someone's death after deliberation. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 The jury will decide his punishment. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punishment
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.
Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 Jurors will now decide Horner’s punishment. —Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 In Colorado, the punishment for creating a risk of death is the same as intentionally causing someone's death after deliberation. —Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 The jury will decide his punishment. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punishment
Cite this Entry
“Punishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/punishment. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
punishment
noun
pun·ish·ment ˈpən-ish-mənt
1
a
: the act of punishing
b
: the state or fact of being punished
persons undergoing punishment
2
: the penalty for a fault or crime
the punishment for robbery
3
: severe, rough, or disastrous treatment
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