这两个名词均含“惩罚、处罚”之意。
punishment : 泛指各种惩罚，诸如法律、父母、老师以及神的惩罚等。
- Many people think that the death penalty is too severe a punishment for any crime.
许多人认为无论对什么罪行来说，死刑都过于严厉了。 - It was always our father who administered/meted out punishments.
予以／给予惩罚的人一直是我们的父亲。 - Drink-driving is one case in which severe punishment seems to work as a deterrent.
酒后驾车是严惩似乎能起威慑作用的一个例子。
penalty : 一般指法律上的惩罚或体育运动比赛中的处罚。
- The law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.
该法令允许判处长达3年的监禁。 - They asked for the maximum penalty for hoax calls to be increased to one year.
他们要求把对恶作剧电话的最高惩罚增至一年监禁。 - The protesters were told to clear the area around the building, on penalty of arrest (= or be arrested) if they did not.
抗议者被告知离开大楼周围的地区，否则将被捕。
#词汇辨析