26984 words

punish

4 definitions • 6 examples
1
to cause someone who has done something wrong or committed a crime to suffer, by hurting them, forcing them to pay money, sending them to prison, etc.:

Examples:

Those responsible for these crimes must be brought to court and punished.
He punished the class by giving them extra work.
The oil company was found guilty on ten counts of pollution, and was punished with a $250 million fine.
2
to punish anyone who commits a particular crime:

Examples:

3
to use or treat something badly, violently, or without care:

Examples:

He really punishes that horse of his.
4
to cause people who have done something wrong or committed a crime to suffer by making them do something they don’t want to do or sending them to prison:

Examples:

She was punished for being late to school.

Navigation