Punish

To impose a penalty or consequence on an individual or group for a wrongdoing or transgression, with the intention of enforcing rules, laws, or social norms. Punishment may take various forms, including physical reprimands, financial penalties, and social ostracism. The concept of punishment is often discussed in the context of moral philosophy, law, and behavioral psychology, as it can reflect societal values and influence future behavior.

Punish meaning with examples

• In an effort to deter future misconduct, the school decided to punish the students responsible for vandalizing the property by requiring them to participate in community service. This approach aimed not only to teach them accountability but also to encourage them to contribute positively to their community.
• The coach chose to punish the entire team for their lack of discipline during practice by canceling their next game. While some players felt it was unfair, the coach believed that reinforcing team unity and a sense of responsibility was more important than allowing individual infractions to go unchecked.
• After a thorough investigation, the company decided to punish the employee who had been repeatedly late to work by issuing a formal warning and placing them on probation. The management hoped that this action would highlight the importance of punctuality and encourage the employee to improve their attendance.
• To ensure justice was served, the judge decided to punish the defendant with a significant fine and community service for their reckless behavior that led to the accident. The ruling aimed to make it clear that such irresponsible actions would not be tolerated in society.