French word

punir

Pronunciation

IPA/pyniʁ/

Meaning

  • verbpunish

Example

Le juge va punir le coupable.

The judge is going to punish the culprit.

Illustration for punir (punish)

More examples

Les parents ont décidé de punir l'enfant.

The parents decided to punish the child.

Core concept

A judge, parent, or authority places a negative consequence on someone after a fault.

Common phrases

  • punir quelqu'un

    punish someone

  • punir sévèrement

    punish severely

  • punir d'une amende

    punish with a fine

Similar words

pénaliser: To penalize conduct by imposing a penalty or other disadvantage.
sanctionner: To officially punish a violation through a formal penalty or sanction.
blâmer: To blame someone verbally for wrongdoing.

Definition in French

Faire subir à une personne une conséquence négative en réaction à un acte fautif.

Word origin

Punir is inherited from Latin punire through Old French rather than formed from a modern French word.

Usage tips

  • Punir spans ordinary discipline and legal punishment, so context determines whether the word sounds formal or everyday.

Other meanings

  • chastiseverb

Opposites

Related words

  • punitionpunishmentnoun
  • punitifpunitiveadjective

Word lists with this word