punishing

[ puhn-i-shing ]

adjective

1. causing or characterized by harsh or injurious treatment; severe; brutal:

   The storm was accompanied by punishing winds.

Other Word Forms

• non·punish·ing adjective
• self-punish·ing adjective
• un·punish·ing adjective
• un·punish·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of punishing¹

1425–75; late Middle English punyesand; punish, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Moffett Nathanson’s note said shifting more ad dollars to digital platforms would be a punishing blow to TV, which has struggled as consumers have steadily moved to streaming platforms for video.

From Los Angeles Times

They still got a sizable crowd to dancing under the punishing heat and sunshine.

From Los Angeles Times

He said it would be "punishing him for a second time, for having taken action to address what the GMC itself calls 'one of the greatest threats to human health'".

From BBC

CERES, Calif. — President Trump’s decision to pause punishing tariffs on most U.S. trading partners may have calmed financial markets last week, but it did little to quell anxiety in California’s $59 billion agricultural industry.

From Los Angeles Times

Her groundstrokes began to find the lines and, after the two exchanged breaks, back-to-back punishing returns of serve gave the Briton the crucial advantage.

From BBC

Related Words

• brutal
• grueling
• punitive