punishing

American  

[puhn-i-shing] / ˈpʌn ɪ ʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing or characterized by harsh or injurious treatment; severe; brutal.

   The storm was accompanied by punishing winds.

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Other Word Forms

• nonpunishing adjective
• self-punishing adjective
• unpunishing adjective
• unpunishingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of punishing

1425–75; late Middle English punyesand; punish, -ing ²

Example Sentences

“The First Amendment forbids the government and its officials from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech,” the suit states.

From Salon

Rourke’s “real and punishing” boxing career, which happened before and during his acting career, “left lasting physical and emotional scars,” the fundraiser says.

From Los Angeles Times

In Los Angeles, the rain is expected to be less punishing than the previous storm that triggered significant flooding, road closures and rescues, but it will be heavier along the Central Coast, Wofford said.

From Los Angeles Times

Initially, the department said it was punishing Italian pasta companies because they were being uncooperative with its investigation, citing problems that ranged from missing information to untranslated Italian words in the companies’ submissions.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s time for those voters to start experimenting, and then punishing policy failures.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• brutal
• grueling
• punitive