PUNISH Synonyms: 38 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'punish' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of punish are castigate , chasten , chastise , correct , and discipline . While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing. // punished for stealing

Q: When is 'castigate' a more appropriate choice than 'punish'?

Although the words castigate and punish have much in common, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure. // an editorial castigating the entire city council

Q: When might 'chasten' be a better fit than 'punish'?

The meanings of chasten and punish largely overlap; however, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued. // chastened by a landslide election defeat

Q: In what contexts can 'chastise' take the place of 'punish'?

In some situations, the words chastise and punish are roughly equivalent. However, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation. // chastised his son for neglecting his studies

Q: When can 'correct' be used instead of 'punish'?

The words correct and punish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender. // the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

Q: When would 'discipline' be a good substitute for 'punish'?

The words discipline and punish can be used in similar contexts, but discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control. // parents must discipline their children

punish

verb

ˈpə-nish

Definition of punish

as in to penalize

to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime the child was punished for breaking dishes on purpose if caught, the thief will be severely punished

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word punish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of punish are castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, and discipline. While all these words mean "to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing," punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing.

punished for stealing

When is castigate a more appropriate choice than punish?

Although the words castigate and punish have much in common, castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure.

an editorial castigating the entire city council

When might chasten be a better fit than punish?

The meanings of chasten and punish largely overlap; however, chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued.

chastened by a landslide election defeat

In what contexts can chastise take the place of punish?

In some situations, the words chastise and punish are roughly equivalent. However, chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation.

chastised his son for neglecting his studies

When can correct be used instead of punish?

The words correct and punish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender.

the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer

When would discipline be a good substitute for punish?

The words discipline and punish can be used in similar contexts, but discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control.

parents must discipline their children

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of punish The university system sued the Education Department on March 6, arguing that the government was attempting to punish SJSU retroactively for conduct consistent with the law, federal guidance and NCAA rules in effect during the 2022–24 seasons. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The king tides came knocking Then, in August, came the first big king tide that sent punishing waves slamming into houses along the boardwalk. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The prospect of a wetter, stormier winter has Southern California on edge —punishing waves can cause significant coastal flooding and erosion, leading to landslides and cliff collapse. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 What universities should teach A university should make students uncomfortable, but not because professors humiliate them, punish dissent, or demand that students defend political positions simply because of their religious or ethnic identities. — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish

Verb

The terms of the injunction prevent the NCAA from penalizing Council for playing, or KU for playing him.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Wasserman says traditional interviews tend to penalize candidates who are shy or are not native English speakers and to reward those who oversell themselves.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of penalize

Verb

Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, criticized the state's election officials for not cooperating with the department's demands.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
But others criticized the tactics used and family separations.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

The few encounters with representatives of the law are exasperating — an officer chastises Soulan for being a bad role model for his students — though not necessarily cut and dried.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Anderson and Lago chastised Castro, accusing her of using city funds to help cover personal expenses to attend her ethics hearing.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of chastise

Verb

Kelly Elizabeth Shea pleaded guilty to misdemeanor obstruction of justice in a plea deal Wednesday afternoon, and a judge sentenced her to a year of probation and community service.

— Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Deller was found guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday after the jury deliberated for over an hour and was sentenced to life in prison.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of sentence

Verb

Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
And while some of the allegations were never proved, he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice and sentenced to four years in jail.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of convict

Verb

The best nonprofit organizations are disciplined about revenue and talk openly about it.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Witch fever, by this point in history, had become a mechanism for brutally regulating and disciplining female behavior, and doing so intergenerationally.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of discipline

Verb

Persist toward Ithaca, but be prepared to correct your course as the winds and circumstances change.

— Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Every hour spent sorting candidates, interviewing, onboarding, correcting course and starting over is time not spent leading the business.

— Kenzie Biggins, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

puniness

punish

punishable

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“Punish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punish. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of punish

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