punish
/ˈpʌnɪʃ/
verb
- To make someone suffer or pay a penalty because they have done something wrong or broken a rule.
- The law punishes people who drive without a license.
- Parents often punish their children by taking away privileges.
- The teacher will punish students who cheat on the test.
- To treat someone or something harshly or roughly, often as a result of difficulty or competition.
- The boxer punished his opponent with a series of hard punches.
- The rough terrain punished the hikers' legs.
- The old car's engine was punished by years of neglect.
Synonyms