Synonyms

punishable

American

[puhn-i-shuh-buhl] / ˈpʌn ɪ ʃə bəl /

adjective

liable to or deserving punishment.

punishable British

/ ˈpʌnɪʃəbəl /

adjective

liable to be punished or deserving of punishment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

nonpunishable adjective
punishability noun
repunishable adjective
unpunishable adjective

Etymology

Origin of punishable

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

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.

Sierra Leone, which had one of the world’s highest rates of child marriage, made attending or even being the DJ at the wedding of a child a punishable crime.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

Tastelessness is not punishable by law, and neither is adapting a beloved novel however a filmmaker sees fit.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026

Violating a closure order is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and six months in prison, although such severe punishment is rare.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

It says flying a drone or model aircraft without necessary IDs is against the law, and punishable by fines or, in severe cases, with prison sentences.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

The lawyer didn't realize that two of the charges against Ian were punishable with sentences of life imprisonment without parole.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023