Definition

A person who inflicts a penalty or punishment on someone for wrongdoing.

Example

The judge acted as the punisher, ensuring that justice was served.

Conversation

Did you see the new superhero movie last night?

Yeah, it was awesome! The main character was such a punisher.

I loved how he dealt with the villains.

Exactly! It was satisfying to see him take action.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Punisher → It is formed from "punish" (from Old French *punir*, meaning to inflict a penalty) and "-er" (meaning a person who). A punisher is a person who inflicts a penalty or punishment.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'inflicts a penalty' — 'punish' means to penalize, and '-er' indicates a person. This helps you remember that a punisher is someone who penalizes others.

Visually Confused Words