punishment
PUH-nihsh-muhnt
Punishment (noun) means a penalty given for wrongdoing, or the act of imposing one. Example: “The punishment for the crime was a fine and community service.”
noun
1
A penalty given for wrongdoing, or the act of imposing one.
"The punishment for the crime was a fine and community service."
"His parents believed in punishment as a way to teach discipline."
"The teacher thought extra homework was a fair punishment for cheating on the test."
How to use punishment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA penalty given as a consequence for doing wrong.
Common pairings
harsh punishment
capital punishment
fitting punishment
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Word forms
- Plural
- punishments
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The _____ for the crime was a fine and community service.
Etymology
From Old French punissement, from punir, "to punish."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for punishment
See all rhymes for punishment →Frequently asked questions
What does “punishment” mean?
The word “punishment” means a penalty given for wrongdoing, or the act of imposing one. In plain terms, a penalty given as a consequence for doing wrong.
How do you pronounce “punishment”?
“Punishment” is pronounced PUH-nihsh-muhnt (/ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “punishment” in a sentence?
Here is “punishment” used in a sentence: “The punishment for the crime was a fine and community service.”
What is another word for “punishment”?
Words with a similar meaning to “punishment” include castigation, chastening, chastisement, correction, gruel and punition.
What part of speech is “punishment”?
“Punishment” is a noun.
Where does the word “punishment” come from?
The word “punishment” comes from Old French. From Old French punissement, from punir, "to punish.".
Is “punishment” a common word?
“Punishment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between punishment and discipline?
Punishment is a penalty imposed for wrongdoing, focused on the response to a specific offence. Discipline is broader, referring to training and correction meant to teach acceptable behaviour, of which punishment may be one part.
What is the difference between punishment and a consequence?
A punishment is deliberately imposed by someone in authority as a penalty for wrongdoing. A consequence is any result that follows an action and may occur naturally, without anyone choosing to impose it.
What words commonly go with punishment?
Punishment appears in fixed phrases such as "capital punishment" (the death penalty) and "corporal punishment" (physical penalty). Common verbs include "impose," "mete out," "receive," and "escape" punishment.
Is punishment countable or uncountable?
Punishment can be both. It is uncountable when referring to the general idea ("crime and punishment") and countable when referring to a specific penalty ("a harsh punishment").
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