punish - definition and synonyms

verb [transitive] [often passive] 

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present tense
present participlepunishing
past tensepunished
past participlepunished
  1. to make someone suffer because they have done something against the law or against the rules
    punish someone for (doing) something:

    He was punished for stealing.

    punish someone by something:

    People operating illegal businesses can be punished by imprisonment or a fine.

    1. a.
      to make someone suffer as a result of something they have done

      We approached this task in the wrong way, and we were punished for it.

    2. b.
      to give a punishment to anyone who has committed a particular action