disciplining 1 of 2

adjective

as in punitive
inflicting, involving, or serving as punishment disciplining actions taken in response to the rowdiness

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disciplining

2 of 2

verb

present participle of discipline
as in punishing
to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime the pranksters were severely disciplined for their irresponsible stunt

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 disciplining
Verb
The Illinois House committee will not decide Ammons’ guilt but will determine whether the facts support disciplining her as a House member — a process that could range from no penalty to expulsion. — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 As a result, schools will no longer be investigated for disproportionately disciplining students of color as long as their policies are not explicitly discriminatory. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026 Bullard said national organizations often respond to hazing by tightening oversight or disciplining chapters involved in misconduct. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026 At the same time, the state has been heavily involved in promoting AI firms aligned with priorities associated with Xi’s leadership, while disciplining more independent tech entrepreneurs. — José Kaire, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 Current House rules allow any one lawmaker to force a vote on disciplining a colleague, setting the stage for censure clashes that have frequently become retaliatory grudge matches. — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026 The lawsuit alleges a line of district attorneys from 1980 through 2012 fostered the culture that allowed such a practice to take root, often by not disciplining prosecutors who allegedly excluded certain jurors in violation of the Constitution. — Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 Cuthbertson also claimed that the bank violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by rescinding his work-from-home medical accommodation and subsequently disciplining him for relying on it. — Chase Jordan june 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026 The union accuses the company of engaging in interference and retaliation by disciplining a bargaining committee member for attending bargaining sessions, protected activity under federal law. — Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disciplining
  1. punitive
  2. punishing
  3. correctional
Adjective
  • The resulting turn toward more punitive security policies makes slower institutional reform harder to sustain.
    — Robert Muggah, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The American-Saudi response, punitive in its immediate purpose, must also be understood as an effort to break Iran’s grip on the strait.
    — Bobby Ghosh, Time, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of punitive
Verb
  • In the component-supply world, the cost of changing over a production line to make a variant product is usually punishing, which forces suppliers into rigid catalog-SKU models.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • But any votes on formally punishing Miller or Edwards will have to wait until September; the House is on its August recess now.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of punishing
Adjective
  • Corrections officials wanted to reduce a correctional officer’s pay by 5% for roughly 30 weeks after he was accused of using force against an inmate and failing to report a colleague’s use of force in two January 2024 incidents.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026
  • Florida hasn’t executed more than one person in a single day since 1964, according to the state’s correctional records.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Definition of correctional

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Cite this Entry

“Disciplining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disciplining. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on disciplining

Nglish: Translation of disciplining for Spanish Speakers

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