We thought it wrong that you should punish him.
Source: tatoeba (17745)
Punish
/ˈpʌnɪʃ/
Synonyms for "punish" (197 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (40)
Strong matches (59)
Verb(15 words)
correctdecimatesdisciplinediscipliningenforceenforce civil order guidelinesenforce ordergibbetedgive it to someonegive someone what forgive what forgroundedgruelhave someone's headhave someone's hide
criticizecrucifydamagedamndeal withdisciplinedraw and quarterdress downelectrocuteeven the scoreexcommunicateexcruciateexecuteexilefinefixflogget even withhandicaphang
Noun(18 words)
discipline field notebookdiscipline methodsdiscipline proceduresdiscipline related termdiscipline termdisciplinesearth groundedfinesgroundgrounded to earthgroundinggrounding activitygrounding adjectivegrounding conductorgrounding implementationgrounding systemgroundshorsewhips
Adjective(1 words)
Related words (98)
incarcerateinflict uponinjurekill by inchesknock aboutknock aroundlaceratelambastelancinatelashlock upmaceratemake an example ofmake quitsmaltreatmanhandlemartyrmartyrizemastheadmaul
Show 39 more words
Verb(19 words)
Noun(19 words)
metingnot groundedpaddlingpenalizingpenalty laborpilloriespilloryingprotective groundingpunishingsanctionsscourgessentencesentence subjectsentencessentencingsmitesmitessmitingwreaking
Adjective(1 words)
scholarly discipline
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: penalize, chasten, abuse, admonish, agonize.
- Sentence evidence is available for punish, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "punish".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "punish"
Keep "punish" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "punish" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "punish", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "punish" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
6 entriesMore specific
7 entriesCollocations
6 entriesInflections
3 entriesDerivations
4 entriesSample sentences
19 total sentences available.
Punish the wicked and save the weak.
Source: tatoeba (28599)
Don't punish the boy severely; go easy on him.
Source: tatoeba (46273)
Do not punish the girl severely; go easy on her.
Source: tatoeba (46421)
Showing 4 of 19 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "punish"?
Closest matches include penalize, chasten, abuse, admonish, agonize.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "punish"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.