make an example of

Punish to deter

To make an example of someone is to punish them publicly or harshly so that others will be deterred from similar behavior.

The punishment serves less as individual justice than as a warning to the group: The teacher made an example of the cheater by announcing his grade to the class.

The company made an example of employees who leaked information.

discipline

punishment

Penalty for an offense

reprimandFormal expression of disapproval
chastiseReprimand severely for wrongdoing
correctFree from error

sanction · penalize · consequence · enforce · authority · strictness · harsh · severity · rebuke · censure

punish

scapegoat

Unfairly blamed person

targetObject of pursuit
victimOne harmed by another
single outSelect for special attention

humiliate · disgrace · ostracize · pillory · condemn · retaliation · retribution · vengeance · sacrifice · fall guy

deter

warning

Alert about danger

cautionaryServing as warning
deterrentThing that discourages action
discouragementLoss of confidence

dissuasion · intimidate · frighten · scare · threat · coerce · send a message · chilling effect · disincentive · preventive

Opposites

punishment visibility

make an example ofhush up

Suppress information deliberately

cover up · look the other way · turn a blind eye

response severity

make an example oflet off the hook

show mercy · forgive · pardon · let slide · excuse

treatment intent

make an example ofput on a pedestal

Idealize beyond reason

commend · celebrate · honor · lionize

Family

make, makes, making, maker, makers, example, examples, exemplify, exemplified

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG