First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
punish
verb pun·ish \ˈpə-nish\
: to make (someone) suffer for a crime or for bad behavior
: to make someone suffer for (a crime or bad behavior)
: to treat (someone or something) severely or roughly
Full Definition of PUNISH
transitive verb
1
a : to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or violation b : to inflict a penalty for the commission of (an offense) in retribution or retaliation
2
a : to deal with roughly or harshly b : to inflict injury on : hurt
intransitive verb
: to inflict punishment
— pun·ish·abil·i·ty \ˌpə-nish-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— pun·ish·able \ˈpə-nish-ə-bəl\ adjective
— pun·ish·er noun
See punish defined for English-language learners
See punish defined for kids
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Origin of PUNISH
Middle English punisshen, from Anglo-French puniss-, stem of punir, from Latin punire, from poena penalty — more at pain
Related to PUNISH
Synonym Discussion of PUNISH
punish, chastise, castigate, chasten, discipline, correct mean to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing. punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing <punished for stealing>. chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation <chastised his son for neglecting his studies>. castigate usually implies a severe, typically public censure <an editorial castigating the entire city council>. chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued <chastened by a landslide election defeat>. discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control <parents must discipline their children>. correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender <the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer>.
Rhymes with PUNISH
PUNISHABLE Defined for Kids
punish
verb pun·ish \ˈpə-nish\
pun·ishedpun·ish·ing
Definition of PUNISH for Kids
1
: to make suffer for a fault or crime <The child was punished for lying.>
2
: to make someone suffer for (as a crime) <The law punishes theft.>
Word Root of PUNISH
The Latin word poena, meaning “punishment,” gives us the root pen or pun. Words from the Latin poena have something to do with punishments. A penalty is a punishment for doing something wrong. Anything penal, such as a group of laws, explains punishments for specific crimes. Punish and punishment also come from poena.
Synonym Discussion of PUNISH
punish and discipline mean to put a penalty on someone for doing wrong. punish means giving some kind of pain or suffering to the wrongdoer often rather than trying to reform the person. <The criminals were punished with life imprisonment.> discipline is used of punishing the wrongdoer but usually includes an effort to bring the person under control. <Parents must discipline their children.>
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