punish
PUH-nihsh
Punish (verb) means to make someone suffer a penalty for wrongdoing or misconduct. Example: “Teachers should not punish a whole class for what one child did.”
verb
1
To make someone suffer a penalty for wrongdoing or misconduct.
"Teachers should not punish a whole class for what one child did."
"The school punished the students for cheating."
"Her parents punished her by taking away her phone."
2
To treat something harshly or subject it to a lot of strain.
"The steep mountain track punished our tired legs on the way down."
"Rough seas punished the little boat all night long."
"The marathon really punished his knees."
How to use punish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make someone pay a penalty for doing something wrong.
Common pairings
punish severely
punish a crime
punish the offender
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- punishes
- Past tense
- punished
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Teachers should not _____ a whole class for what one child did.
Etymology
From Old French punir, from Latin punire, "to inflict punishment," from poena, "penalty."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “punish” mean?
The word “punish” means to make someone suffer a penalty for wrongdoing or misconduct. In plain terms, to make someone pay a penalty for doing something wrong.
How do you pronounce “punish”?
“Punish” is pronounced PUH-nihsh (/ˈpʌnɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “punish” in a sentence?
Here is “punish” used in a sentence: “The school punished the students for cheating.”
What is another word for “punish”?
Words with a similar meaning to “punish” include amerce, castigate, chasten, chastise, come down on and correct.
What is the opposite of “punish”?
The opposite of “punish” — its antonyms — are forgive, let off and reward.
What part of speech is “punish”?
“Punish” is a verb.
Where does the word “punish” come from?
The word “punish” comes from Latin. From Old French punir, from Latin punire, "to inflict punishment," from poena, "penalty.".
Is “punish” a common word?
“Punish” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "punish" and "discipline"?
To punish is to impose a penalty for wrongdoing, focusing on the consequence, while to discipline emphasises correcting behaviour and teaching, often with a longer-term aim. Discipline can include punishment but also guidance, whereas punishment centres on the penalty itself.
What is the difference between "punish" and "penalise"?
Both mean to impose a consequence for wrongdoing, but "penalise" often refers to a specific, formal penalty, especially in sports, games, or rules. "Punish" is broader and can cover any suffering imposed for misconduct, from a fine to a scolding.
Is someone punished "for" something or "by" something?
You are punished "for" the offence and punished "by" or "with" the penalty — for example, "punished for cheating" and "punished with a fine." The word "for" marks the wrongdoing, while "by" or "with" marks the means of punishment.
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