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punisher

punisher

2 5.3
A person who makes someone suffer for doing something wrong
  • noun
  • /ˈpʌnɪʃər/
translation icon : castigador
  • We understand not only the origin of his addiction and his hatred of Professor Moriarty, but also his suspicion of women, so well recorded by you, Doctor, and also his choice of profession: detector of wickedness, punisher of injustice.

The unjust judge is really a fraud committer rather than a fraud preventer, rectifier, and punisher.

Examples

  • When I inquired with the mother, probation officer, prosecutor, and even defense counsel for their opinion on why Johnny is non-responsive, the answer was quick and simple: he needs a greater punisher to get his attention.

    Blog text (30)
  • The best atmosphere for job creation is no government interference, save the role of punisher for outright theft.

    Blog text (21)
  • So being a good judge, being a proper punisher means thinking these things through and anger would interfere with that.

  • The logic of satisfaction atonement makes God the chief avenger or the chief punisher.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The authors showed that everyone jumps at the chance to punish the cheater, even when it means that the punisher will incur a cost.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The judge acted as a punisher, ensuring that the criminal received a fair penalty for his actions.

  • As a parent, she believed it was her duty to be a punisher when her children misbehaved.

  • In the story, the superhero is portrayed as a punisher who brings villains to justice.

Synonyms

executioner
vspunisher
  • NSFW
47 7.2

A person who puts someone to death as a legal punishment

is not limited to capital cases and covers any form of consequence
enforcer
vspunisher
  • NSFW
27 7.2

A person who uses force or threats to carry out unpleasant tasks for someone in power

is broader, applying to any actor who inflicts consequences for wrongs
torturer
vspunisher
  • Offensive
16 7.7

A person who causes very bad physical pain to punish or make someone talk

covers many forms of consequence beyond deliberate physical torment
smiter
vspunisher
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person or thing that hits hard to punish someone

is the general role of imposing consequences rather than relentless oppression
whipper
vspunisher
  • NSFW
1 9.9

A person who beats other people with a stick or strap to punish them

refers more generally to any agent who causes consequences for bad acts
lyncher
vspunisher
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who kills or punishes someone in a mob without a legal trial

is lawful or unlawful agents who inflict consequences but not necessarily mob actions
incarcerator
vspunisher
1 8.8

A person or thing that puts someone in prison

is the broader label for anyone who imposes consequences for wrongdoing
spanker
vspunisher
1 9.3

A person who hits a child with an open hand to punish them

covers a wider set of agents who inflict consequences for misbehavior
flagellant
vspunisher
1 9.9

A person who whips themselves or others as a religious act to show sorrow

is any actor who inflicts consequences for wrongdoing rather than ritual practice
retributor
vspunisher
9.4

A person or thing that punishes people for wrong actions

is the general agent who inflicts consequences for bad behavior
inflicter
vspunisher
8.4

Someone or something that causes harm to others

focuses specifically on doing this as a response to wrongdoing
sanctioner
vspunisher
  • Formal
7.3

An authority that approves actions or imposes penalties

is any person or thing acting to enforce consequences for misdeeds
castigator
vspunisher
  • Formal
9.9

A person who strongly criticizes or punishes someone

is more narrowly about enforcing consequences rather than primarily criticizing
scourger
vspunisher
  • NSFW
9.9

A person who officially whips people as punishment

is a more general agent who inflicts consequences in various ways
switcher
vspunisher
  • NSFW
9.9

A person who hits people with a stick or whip as punishment

is broader, including non-physical methods of enforcing consequences
instrument of punishment
vspunisher
  • NSFW
9.6

A device used to punish people for crimes

names an agent or thing that causes consequences, not a mere implement
crucifier
vspunisher
  • NSFW
9.1

A person who keeps criticizing someone very harshly, often in public

is the general agent who inflicts consequences rather than relentless oppression

How Harsh

executioner
  • NSFW
47 7.2
tormentor
  • NSFW
12 7.9
punisher
2 5.3

Surface Forms

punisher singular
punishers plural

Morphology

punisher = punish (transparent) = punish + er

Regular agentive formation from the verb 'punish' with '-er', so 'one who punishes' is directly predictable.

Etymology

The word punisher comes from the verb punish, which comes from the Latin word poena meaning 'penalty' or 'punishment'. You can also see the same root in the word penalty. So a punisher is someone who gives a 'penalty' to another person.