punishable

[puhn-i-shuh-buhl]

adjective

1. liable to or deserving punishment.

ˈpunishable

/ ˈpʌnɪʃəbəl /

adjective

1. liable to be punished or deserving of punishment

Other Word Forms

• punishability noun
• nonpunishable adjective
• repunishable adjective
• unpunishable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of punishable¹

1375–1425; late Middle English. See punish, -able

Example Sentences

In California, second-degree murder has a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, while practicing medicine without a certification is punishable by up to three years.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Foreign trade was made punishable by death, and soon even coastal trade was banned.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Lebanon remains technically at war with Israel and any contact is punishable with imprisonment.

Read more on Barron's

The move enraged not only the opposition but also the Brazilian football federation, which responded by suggesting the act was a "provocation to a rival and disrespects the game", one punishable by a yellow card.

Read more on BBC

The government proscribed the group under the Terrorism Act in July, making membership of or support of the group a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Read more on BBC