punishment

noun

UK /ˈpʌn.ɪʃ.mənt/

US /ˈpʌn.ɪʃ.mənt/

A punishment is something done to someone because they did something wrong.

The boy got a punishment for breaking the window.

SYNONYMS

penalty discipline consequence correction

RELATED WORDS

punish reward rule consequence discipline

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A penalty given by a court of law for a crime.

The thief received a harsh punishment for stealing.

3. The act of making someone suffer for a mistake or bad behavior.

Punishment should help people learn, not just hurt them.

4. Harsh treatment or rough handling of something.

The old car took a lot of punishment on the bumpy road.