pu
nish
ment
Plural
punishments
1
the act of making someone suffer because they have done something illegal or wrong
- The judge handed down a severe punishment to the convicted criminal, sentencing them to several years in prison.
- Effective parenting involves using punishment as a means to teach children about responsibility and consequences for their actions.
- The school implemented a new policy of restorative justice, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment for student misbehavior.
- Punishment alone may not always deter future criminal behavior; rehabilitation programs are often necessary to address underlying issues and prevent recidivism.
- He accepted his punishment without complaint.
Synonyms:
2
a method or means of disciplining someone for an unlawful or wrong act
- Detention is often used as a punishment for students who break school rules.
- Fines are a common form of punishment for traffic violations.
- In some cultures, public shaming is used as a punishment for individuals who commit social taboos.
- Community service can be a constructive form of punishment, allowing offenders to give back to society while serving their sentence.
3
tough conditions or harsh treatment that could lead to damage over a period of time
- The athlete's rigorous training regimen prepared him to endure the punishment of a grueling marathon race.
- The old pickup truck had seen its fair share of punishment over the years but remained reliable for daily use on the farm.
- Soldiers undergo intense physical conditioning to prepare their bodies to withstand the punishment of combat situations.
- The rocky terrain subjected the hiker's boots to constant punishment, gradually wearing down their treads with each step.