[pun.ish] vb [ME punisshen, fr. MF puniss-, stem of punir, fr. L punire, fr. poena penalty--more at pain] vt (14c) 1 a: to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense, or violation b: to inflict a penalty for the commission of (an offense) in retribution or retaliation
2. a: to deal with roughly or harshly b: to inflict injury on: hurt ~ vi: to inflict punishment -- pun.ish.abil.i.ty n -- pun.ish.able adj -- pun.ish.er n syn punish, chastise, castigate, chasten, discipline, correct mean to inflict a penalty on in requital for wrongdoing. punish implies subjecting to a penalty for wrongdoing "punished for stealing". chastise may apply to either the infliction of corporal punishment or to verbal censure or denunciation "chastised his son for neglecting his studies". castigate usu. implies a severe, typically public censure "an editorial castigating the entire city council". chasten suggests any affliction or trial that leaves one humbled or subdued "chastened by a landslide election defeat". discipline implies a punishing or chastening in order to bring under control "parents must discipline their children". correct implies punishing aimed at reforming an offender "the function of prison is to correct the wrongdoer".