punish
verb (used with object)
to subject to pain, loss, confinement, death, etc., as a penalty for some offense, transgression, or fault.
has been punishing
-
present perfect progressiveof punish (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The market has been punishing fast-casual restaurants on hints that growth is decelerating.
From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026
But this season has been punishing even by their standards.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2024
Mr Musk's takeover of Twitter last year has been punishing for the social media platform.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2023
The record cost of petrol has been punishing for consumer sentiment, however, with ANZ Bank's weekly survey showing the mood on personal finances was the worst since the depths of the pandemic in mid-2020.
From Reuters ● Mar. 29, 2022
Yet that is the man Green Valley has been punishing all these years.
From Green Valley by Katharine Reynolds
