punish

verb

PUN-ish/ˈpʌnɪʃ/

4 meanings of punish

1
verbtransitive
To make a wrongdoer suffer for a crime or misconduct, usually through disciplinary action imposed by an authority such as a parent, teacher, or officer.
Courts punish repeat offenders more severely than first-timers.
The principal punished the student for cheating on the exam.
Similarcastigate
Oppositereward, pardon, forgive, excuse
2
verbfigurativelytransitive
To treat someone harshly and unfairly, as though imposing a penalty they have not earned.
Critics say the policy punishes the very people it claims to protect.
Rising rents punish long-term residents who can no longer keep up.
Similarmistreat
Oppositebenefit, favor, reward
3
verbcolloquialtransitive
To handle or strike something severely, battering it with damaging force.
The champion punished his challenger round after round.
Monster swells punish surfers who misjudge the reef break.
Similarbatter, pummel, pound, thrash, hammer
4
verbcolloquialtransitive
To consume a large quantity of something, especially food or drink.
They punished a second helping of dessert without a second thought.
Teenagers punish snacks faster than you can refill the bowl.
Similardevour, demolish, inhale, scoff

Practice

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Origin

This word came from Middle English punischen, via Anglo-Norman and Old French punir, from Latin puniō ('I inflict punishment upon'), which comes from poena ('punishment, penalty'): the same root seen in 'pain'. It replaced the Old English words wītnian and wrecan in this sense.