verb
punish
PUN-ish/ˈpʌnɪʃ/
To inflict a penalty for wrongdoing.
A parent punishes a teenager by taking away the game controller.
Etymology
Latin punire covered correction and vengeance as well as punishment. The English verb retains the central idea of imposing a penalty on someone for an offense.
In context
designed to punish them for existing
More examples
- The school punishes cheating with a failing grade.
- Drivers can be punished for running red lights.
- Don't punish everyone for one person's mistake.
Forms
punish · punishes · punished · punishing
punishment noun — A penalty imposed for doing something wrong.
punishable adjective — Subject to a penalty under rules or laws.
Similar words
- penalize
- Emphasizes a specific penalty imposed under rules or laws.
- discipline
- Emphasizes correcting behavior and teaching self-control through consequences.