punish Definition

punish
verb punishes, punished, punishing

1. To cause (an offender) to suffer for an offence.

Thesaurus: chasten, correct, reprove, sentence, castigate, oppress, lecture, chastise, admonish, reprimand.
2. To impose a penalty for (an offence).
3. colloq
To treat something or someone roughly.
4. To beat or defeat (an opponent, etc) soundly.
5. colloq
To consume large quantities of (eg drink).

Derivative: punishable
adj

Derivative: punishing
adj

Harsh; severe.
Thesaurus: arduous, strenuous, exhausting, difficult, harrowing, laborious.

Etymology: 14c: from French punir, from Latin punire, punitum, from poena a penalty.