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Synonyms for what for
| Grammar : Noun |
| Spell : hwuht, hwot, wuht, wot; unstressed hwuh t, wuh t |
| Phonetic Transcription : ʰwʌt, ʰwɒt, wʌt, wɒt; unstressed ʰwət, wət |
Top 10 synonyms for what for Other synonyms for the word what for
- admonishment
- amercement
- avengement
- avenging
- bawling out
- blame
- calling down
- castigation
- chastening
- chastisement
- chiding
- comeuppance
- confiscation
- correction
- counterblow
- deprivation
- disciplinary action
- dressing-down
- eye for an eye
- forfeit
- gallows
- going over
- grooming
- hard time
- hard work
- infliction
- just desserts
- justice
- lecture
- lumps
- maltreatment
- mortification
- mulct
- ostracism
- pain
- penance
- piece of one's mind
- proof
- punitive measures
- purgatory
- ragging
- rap
- recompense
- redress
- reparation
- repayment
- reprehension
- reprisal
- reproof
- requital
- retaliation
- retribution
- revanche
- revenge
- reward
- rod
- rough treatment
- sanction
- satisfaction
- scolding
- sequestration
- short shrift
- slap on wrist
- slave labor
- suffering
- talking-to
- telling-off
- tongue-lashing
- torture
- trial
- unhappiness
- vengeance
- victimization
- what for
Définition of what for
Origin :- Old English hwæt, from Proto-Germanic *khwat (cf. Old Saxon hwat, Old Norse hvat, Danish hvad, Old Frisian hwet, Dutch wat, Old High German hwaz, German was, Gothic hva "what"), from PIE *qwod, neuter singular of *qwos "who" (see who).
- Meaning "what did you say?" is recorded from c.1300; as an interrogative expletive at the end of sentences it is first recorded 1785, common early 20c. in affected British speech. Or what as an alternative end to a question is first attested 1766. "To give one what for is to respond to his remonstrant what for? by further assault" [Weekley]. The phrase is attested from 1873. What's-his-name for "unspecified person" is attested from 1690s; variant whatsisface is first recorded 1967. What's up? "what is happening?" first recorded 1881.
- As in punishment : noun penalty
- As in reprimand : noun oral punishment
- As in retribution : noun payback for another's action
Antonyms for what for
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019