punish
Definitions
To impose a penalty on someone for an offense or wrongdoing.
惩罚，处罚（因过错而施加代价）。
To treat harshly or strain severely (informal): the climb really punished my legs.
（非正式）使吃苦头，重创：这段爬坡把我的腿折腾惨了。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Latin pūnīre, 'to make someone pay,' built on poena (penalty). To punish is to collect the price for a wrong. The -ish ending here came in through French verb endings, not the English '-ish' that means 'somewhat.'
Root pun still carries 33 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.punish severely严厉惩罚
- 2.punish offenders惩处违法者
- 3.punish the innocent惩罚无辜者
- 4.be punished for因……受罚
Example Sentences
- 1.
The school punishes cheating with immediate suspension.
- 2.
It feels wrong to punish a child for an honest mistake.
- 3.
The marathon really punished my knees on the downhill.
Synonym Comparison
- punish — impose a penalty for a specific wrong; the general word
- penalize — impose a formal penalty, often a fine or rule-based sanction (penalized for a foul)
- discipline — correct behavior, with an aim to improve, not just to make pay
- chastise — rebuke or punish, often verbally and from a moral high ground
- avenge — repay a wrong to get even, not through legitimate authority