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 Pablo Martin Paez Gavira (Gavi) is the only member of Spain’s team that was punished. — Michelle Kaufman august 21, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Republicans recognize that the state has lost its way when the priority becomes punishing the other side rather than ensuring fair representation. — Yuripzy Morgan, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026 If a team were punished because of communications that contributed to a player on the team signing a deal with a team sponsor, the player could argue that such a move would have a chilling effect on his endorsement opportunities. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Consider the mythic fates of Icarus, Prometheus, Hercules—all were punished rather severely for trying to expand knowledge, to make progress. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punish

Verb

The Boks had a five-meter attacking scrum but, for the first time in the match, they were penalized for wheeling against New Zealand's replacement front row of George Bower, Asafo Aumua and Fletcher Newell.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Urging more action to combat the practice, the lawyer suggested that the FTC policy statement’s scope was too narrow and should penalize surveillance wage schemes, too.

— Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of penalize

Verb

The agency also fined Blackbird for failing to report an employee death within eight hours, and for failing to properly equip its employees with avalanche safety gear.

— Tribune News Service, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
The agency has fined Solano’s homes $38,125 since the early 2010s.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fine

Verb

The Lynx, bolstered by the addition of Miles, chastised the Valkyries again like a sister simply too big, too strong and too confident.

— Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Tlaib is also a prominent critic of Israel; her rhetoric has been chastised by Jewish colleagues as an antisemitic call for eradicating Jews, a charge the congresswoman and her supporters reject.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of chastise

Verb

In June a popular Iranian singer, Parastoo Ahmadi, together with eight members of her band and production team, were sentenced in Qom to 74 lashes and banned from leaving the country for two years.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
According to the District Attorney’s Office, there were 571 parole hearings scheduled last year for people sentenced in San Diego to life in prison.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of sentence

Verb

Both siblings were convicted of first-degree murder, although Hansen was also convicted of a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
As someone who counsels and advocates for people who have been convicted of the worst crimes imaginable, Hood often faces criticism from the victims’ families.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of convict

Verb

Only if the issue is not corrected within that timeframe will the organization be administratively dissolved.

— Megan De Mar, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Some of it is tied to precious metals supported by the grim reality that policymakers are loath to correct our fiscal problems and prefer to monetize them instead.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 21 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of punish

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