punish - impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on; "The students were penalized for showing up late for class"; "we had to punish the dog for soiling the floor again"avenge, retaliate, revenge - take revenge for a perceived wrong; "He wants to avenge the murder of his brother" tar-and-feather - smear the body of (someone) with tar and feathers; done in some societies as punishment; "The thief was tarred and feathered" execute, put to death - kill as a means of socially sanctioned punishment; "In some states, criminals are executed" pillory - punish by putting in a pillory amerce - punish with an arbitrary penalty scourge - punish severely; excoriate discipline, sort out, correct - punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience; "The teacher disciplined the pupils rather frequently" |