punishing

American  

[puhn-i-shing] / ˈpʌn ɪ ʃɪŋ /

adjective

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

   The storm was accompanied by punishing winds.

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Other Word Forms

• nonpunishing adjective
• self-punishing adjective
• unpunishing adjective
• unpunishingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of punishing

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

Example Sentences

The worst monthly showing for the S&P 500 index in a year — and the worst first-quarter performance since 2022, when a punishing bear market was just getting underway.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

While the top state-and-local rate in New York City is 14.8%, individuals who make over $215,400 pay a punishing 10.7%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

But Harper's salvo proved to be in vain as Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a shaky performance from US reliever Garrett Whitlock to clinch victory.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Long framed by a tin roof and a tent, the theater had a reputation for discomfort, as it was a source of punishing heat and the occasional mouse sighting.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

My time in the arena made me realize how I needed to stop punishing her for something she couldn’t help, specifically the crushing depression she fell into after my father’s death.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• brutal
• grueling
• punitive