Punishable
ˈpʌnɪʃəbl
Definitions
Deserving of or liable to punishment.
ˈpʌnɪʃəbl
Liable to or deserving of punishment.
The company's safety violations are punishable by a hefty fine.
💡 Simply: Imagine you break a rule. If the rule-maker can give you a timeout or take away something fun, your action is 'punishable'. It means you might have to face a consequence.
👶 For kids: When you do something bad, and you might get in trouble, that means it's punishable.
More Examples
Dishonesty is punishable behavior in most organizations.
Any violation of these rules will be punishable.
How It's Used
"The crime is punishable by imprisonment."
"His actions were punishable under company policy."
From Middle English *punisshable*, from Old French *punissable*, from *punir* ('to punish').
Historically, the word has consistently been used in legal and ethical contexts to describe actions meriting consequences.
Memory tip
Think of a naughty child; their actions are *punishable*.
Word Origin
"from *punire*, meaning to punish."