punishing
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of punishing
Explanation
Something punishing is extremely physically difficult to do. On a very hot, humid day, even a 5K is a punishing race to run. Anything that exhausts you because it's so demanding can be described with the adjective punishing. A punishing hike leaves you gasping and applying bandages to your blisters. A punishing argument with your family is more mentally arduous. Sometimes, punishing things weaken or debilitate: "The lack of snow had a punishing result for the ski industry." Rarely, punishing also means "leading to punishment."
Vocabulary lists containing punishing
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.
A punishing hangover from pandemic-era overinvestment had already left the gaming industry reeling.
From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026
Pratt, in his new book “The Guy You Loved to Hate: Confessions from a Reality TV Villain,” wrote that the coach was punishing him for “ghosting a meeting the night before playoffs.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
The putting surfaces have always been considered as Aronimink's best defence and the placement of the holes - particularly given the tricky, windy conditions over the first two days - have been incredibly punishing.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
Former employees said Chinese rivals were adopting more punishing work schedules to help push products out more quickly.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026
Frantically, he tried to be nice to Lucia, but the family were punishing him.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
