Discipline — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈdi-sə-plən/ dis·ci·pline

Meaning & Definition of Discipline

Discipline (noun)

  1. control gained by enforcing obedience or order
  2. behavior in accordance with rules, orderly conduct
  3. self-control

Discipline (verb)

  1. to punish or penalize as a means of enforcing obedience and perfecting moral character
  2. to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control
  3. to bring (a group) under control

Discipline (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

    "you must choose a discipline to focus on in college"

    similar: area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk
    related: frontier, study, subject, territory, turf, occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation, ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width, subfield, subspecialty

  2. suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense

    "harsh discipline was imposed to keep order within the ranks"

    similar: castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), nemesis, penalty, punishment, wrath
    related: reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance, assessment, charge, fine, mulct, example, sentence, confinement, imprisonment, incarceration, condemnation, damnation, denouncement, censure, criticism, rebuke, reprimand, reproof
    near: amnesty, indemnity, pardon, parole, acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication, exemption, immunity, impunity, release, commutation, reprieve, absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment, condonation, disregard, overlooking

  3. the checking of one's true feelings and impulses when dealing with others

    "she lacks the discipline that's essential for a job in customer relations"

    similar: constraint, continence, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression
    related: command, control, mastery, possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, composure, self-poise, self-possession, aloofness, detachedness, distance, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, reticence, silence, taciturnity
    opposite: disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint
    near: self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

Discipline (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to inflict a penalty on for a fault or crime

    "the pranksters were severely disciplined for their irresponsible stunt"

    similar: castigate, chasten, chastise, correct, penalize, punish
    related: assess, charge, dock, fine, impose, levy, mulct, convict, sentence, condemn, damn, denounce, criticize, keelhaul, rebuke, reprimand, reprove, wreak
    opposite: excuse, pardon, spare
    near: forfeit, get off, ransom, release, commute, reprieve, absolve, acquit, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

Related Entry: Self-discipline (noun)

Self-discipline is a different word from Discipline. The synonyms below are for self-discipline, not for discipline.

  1. the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

    "it takes self-discipline not to yell out when someone makes you angry"

    similar: continence, restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-government, self-mastery, self-possession, self-restraint, will, willpower
    related: self-abnegation, self-denial, moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness, determination, nerve, command, control, discipline, mastery, abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance, abstinence, soberness, sobriety, aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence, discretion
    near: gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence, excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Discipline

The most common words with a similar meaning to Discipline:

area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk, castigation, chastisement, comeuppance, correction, desert(s), nemesis, penalty, punishment, wrath, constraint, continence, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Discipline

Words with the opposite meaning of Discipline:

disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint, excuse, pardon, spare

Related Words for Discipline

frontier, study, subject, territory, turf, occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation, ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width, subfield, subspecialty, reprisal, retaliation, retribution, revenge, vengeance, assessment

Near Antonyms of Discipline

amnesty, indemnity, parole, acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication, exemption, immunity, impunity, release, commutation, reprieve, absolution, forgiveness, remission, remitment, condonation, disregard, overlooking, self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness

Word Forms of Discipline

Inflections: disciplined, disciplining

Derived words: disciplinal (adjective), discipliner (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Discipline

Middle English, "chastisement, system of ordered conduct, instruction, branch of learning," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin disciplīna "teaching, instruction, branch of study, orderly conduct based on moral training" (Medieval Latin, "chastisement, scourging"), from discipulus "pupil, learner" + -īna, suffix denoting a place or practice (from noun derivative of feminine of -īnus -ine:1) disciple

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Discipline

Words & Phrases Containing Discipline

self-discipline, multidiscipline, subdiscipline

Frequently Asked Questions about Discipline

What does "Discipline" mean?

"Discipline" means control gained by enforcing obedience or order. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: control gained by enforcing obedience or order. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Discipline"?

Other words for "Discipline" include area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne and department. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Discipline" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Discipline"?

There are 134 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Discipline". Common alternatives include area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, domain and element.

What is the opposite of "Discipline"?

Antonyms of "Discipline" include disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint, excuse, pardon and spare. Near antonyms include amnesty, indemnity, parole and acquittal.

How do you use "Discipline" in a sentence?

Examples of "Discipline" in a sentence: "you must choose a discipline to focus on in college"; "harsh discipline was imposed to keep order within the ranks"; "she lacks the discipline that's essential for a job in customer relations".

Is "Discipline" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Discipline" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Discipline" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Discipline" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Discipline"?

"Discipline" is pronounced /ˈdi-sə-plən/ and divided into syllables as dis·ci·pline.