punishment
The act (action) or process of punishing, imposing and/or applying a sanction, typically by an authority or a person in authority (for example: a parent or teacher), especially when disappointed or dissatisfied with the behavior or actions of a child, student, or someone else being looked after.
Noun 4 meanings
The act (action) or process of punishing, imposing and/or applying a sanction, typically by an authority or a person in authority (for example: a parent or teacher), especially when disappointed or dissatisfied with the behavior or actions of a child, student, or someone else being looked after.
“The naughty children were given a punishment by their teachers.”
A penalty to punish wrongdoing, especially for crime.
“a light punishment”
A suffering by pain or loss imposed as retribution.
Any harsh treatment or experience; rough handling.
“a vehicle that can take a lot of punishment”
Etymology
From Middle English punishement, from Old French punissement, from punir (“to punish”). Equivalent to punish + -ment. Displaced native Old English wīte.
Similar and opposite words
PUNISHMENT at a glance
PUNISHMENT has 10 letters and scores 17 points in Scrabble (P 3 + U 1 + N 1 + I 1 + S 1 + H 4 + M 3 + E 1 + N 1 + T 1) and 21 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #3,962 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with punishment
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