Punishable Meaning
/ˈpʌnɪʃəbəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjSubject to punishment; appropriate for punishment.
Sentence Examples
That crime is punishable by death.
Homicide is punishable by death.
That's not just bad, it's also punishable by the law.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Driving without a license is an offense ____ with a fine or jail time.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Under the new law, the offense was ____ by a fine of up to ten thousand pounds.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English punish Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlom Proto-Indo-European *-dʰlis Proto-Italic *-ðlis Latin -bilis Latin -ābilis Old French -ablebor. Middle English -able English -able English punishable From punish + -able.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Wearing a face covering also remains a requirement on all Transport for London services, where it has become a Condition of Carriage. This means that while non-compliance is no longer a criminal offence and punishable with a fine, passengers can still be asked to leave or prevented from boarding."
— 2022 February 9, “Network News: Regulations on face coverings risk leaving passengers confused”, in RAIL, number 950, page 6:
"In Virginia, as in most of the country, jaywalking has long been punishable by a fine but very rarely enforced. A penalty that is invoked sporadically and capriciously is not fair to those who get socked with it, as state and federal courts have declared many times."
— 2021 January 13, Alan Ehrenhalt, “Jaywalking and the Dilemma of ‘Victimless’ Crimes”, in Governing, archived from the original on 04 Mar 2021:
"Texas law treats evading arrest det w/veh as a serious offense. It often begins as a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years and a $10,000 fine."
— 2025 June 27, David D. White, “Evading Arrest or Detention in a Motor Vehicle (W/Veh) in Texas”, in Law Office of David D. White, archived from the original on 03 Aug 2025:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Driving without a license is an offense ____ with a fine or jail time.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Under the new law, the offense was ____ by a fine of up to ten thousand pounds.