adj
Common
punished
PUH-nihsht
Punished (adj) means having received a penalty or harsh treatment for wrongdoing. Example: “The punished player sat on the bench for the rest of the match.”
adj
1
Having received a penalty or harsh treatment for wrongdoing.
"The punished player sat on the bench for the rest of the match."
"He felt like a punished child as he cleaned the whole kitchen alone."
"The punished students had to stay after school."
How to use punished
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving been given a penalty.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more punished
- Superlative
- most punished
Fill the gap
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The _____ player sat on the bench for the rest of the match.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for punished
fished
famished
vanished
polished
finished
banished
cherished
furnished
published
nourished
anguished
tarnished
See all rhymes for punished →
Frequently asked questions
What does “punished” mean?
The word “punished” means having received a penalty or harsh treatment for wrongdoing. In plain terms, having been given a penalty.
How do you pronounce “punished”?
“Punished” is pronounced PUH-nihsht (/ˈpʌnɪʃt/ in IPA).
How do you use “punished” in a sentence?
Here is “punished” used in a sentence: “The punished students had to stay after school.”
What is the opposite of “punished”?
The opposite of “punished” — its antonyms — are unchastised and unpunished.
What part of speech is “punished”?
“Punished” is an adjective.
Is “punished” a common word?
“Punished” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "punished" and "disciplined"?
Someone punished has received a penalty or harsh treatment for wrongdoing, with the emphasis on the penalty itself. "Disciplined" emphasizes correction and training rather than the penalty, which is why parenting and workplace contexts often prefer it: punishment looks back at the offense, discipline looks forward to better behavior.
Is it "punished for" or "punished by"?
Use "punished for" with the offense and "punished by" with whoever imposes the penalty: "he was punished for cheating", "she was punished by the referee". "Punished with" introduces the penalty itself, as in "punished with a fine".
What is the difference between "punished" and "penalized"?
"Penalized" usually involves an official penalty imposed under rules or laws — points deducted, fines issued, players sent off — while "punished" is broader and covers any penalty or harsh treatment for wrongdoing. A team is penalized for a foul; a child is punished for lying.
