To punish someone means to make them suffer in some way because they have done something wrong. According to present law, the authorities can only punish smugglers with small fines Don't punish your child for being honest
To impose a penalty upon; to afflict with pain, loss, or suffering for a crime or fault, either with or without a view to the offender's amendment; to cause to suffer in retribution; to chasten; as, to punish traitors with death; a father punishes his child for willful disobedience
To punish a crime means to punish anyone who commits that crime. The government voted to punish corruption in sport with up to four years in jail
To inflict a penalty for (an offense) upon the offender; to repay, as a fault, crime, etc
To deal with roughly or harshly; chiefly used with regard to a contest; as, our troops punished the enemy
impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on; "The students were penalized for showing up late for class"; "we had to punish the dog for soiling the floor again"