punish
verb (used with object)
to subject to pain, loss, confinement, death, etc., as a penalty for some offense, transgression, or fault.
punishes
-
present tense formof punish (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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 same rate hike that helps a CD also punishes anyone carrying a credit-card balance.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
To recap: Purcell punishes a plaintiff in voting cases for being too late to court.
From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026
Tencent’s shares have fallen around 30% so far this year as the market punishes Chinese internet names amid uncertainty around AI, he says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
“It reflects a legitimate and important state interest in protecting people from harassment and threats. But at the same time, this bill punishes the publication of information.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
The walk home is a steep one, and I wonder if it’s yet another way she punishes herself.
From "Every Day" by David Levithan
