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Definition of punishing

punishing

/ˈpʌn.ɪ.ʃɪŋ/
pun · ish · ing
Adverb:punishingly
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punishing Lexical Profile

punishing Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Physically or mentally demanding to the point of exhaustion; grueling or arduous.

Example

"The athletes maintained a punishing training schedule in the months leading up to the championship."

2

Inflicting severe hardship, damage, or financial loss; harsh or relentless.

Example

"Small businesses struggled to survive under the weight of punishing interest rates and rising rent."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

punish
punishable
punisher
punishing
punishingly
punishment
punitive

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed from the verb 'punish', which entered Middle English via Old French 'puniss-' from Latin 'punire' (to punish), derived from 'poena' (penalty, punishment).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Punishing. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/punishing
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