Words / B2

PUN-ishm-uh-nt/ˈpʌnɪʃmənt/

Punishment is the act of punishing someone, or a particular penalty: capital punishment; a fair punishment. Punish is the verb; sentence is the court’s decision. Capital punishment featured in the history debate. Mix-up: punch; publication. Do not call a homework reminder a punishment without a tariff.

Meaning

The act of punishing someone, or a particular penalty.

Examples

• “Capital punishment featured in the history debate, not a playground sanction.”
• “The punishment must match the policy tariff, which is the school-rules sense.”

Good to know

capital / corporal punishment; a punishment for. Verb: punish. Close: penalty / sentence. Trap: any telling-off. History, law, and pastoral. A stated penalty, not a mood.

Near in meaning

penalty

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