punish
verb (used with object)
to subject to pain, loss, confinement, death, etc., as a penalty for some offense, transgression, or fault.
punishingly
-
a word derived from
punish.
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.
Europe is enduring a punishingly dry summer, with a lack of rain and sweltering temperatures already stoking wildfires from Scotland to Greece.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
It was just before 2 p.m., punishingly hot and humid.
From Slate ● Jun. 19, 2025
“Try a Little Tenderness,” the Otis Redding classic, figures prominently in a play in which acceptable expressions of love between men is punishingly limited, leaving an ache that can grow dangerous when unconsoled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2024
In punishingly hot and humid conditions, Stirling retired hurt with cramps on day one after reaching 74, but came back to the crease the following morning after Tucker fell.
From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2023
Inflation, which peaked at around 90 percent during the worst of the crisis, remains a punishingly high 59 percent.
From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2023
