American Dictionary

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Definition punish in American English

punish verb

[transitive] verb
/ˈpʌnɪʃ/
1

to make someone suffer because they have done something against the law or against the rules

Example

Anyone caught smoking on school premises will be punished.

Example

He was punished for stealing.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

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

Example

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

Synonyms and related words
1.2

to give a punishment to anyone who has committed a particular action

Example

The government is determined to punish drug trafficking.

Synonyms and related words
Definition punish in American English