Crossword Genius

She can't possibly punish (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chasten

'punish' is the definition.
(chasten could historically mean to punish)

'she can't possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'she'+'cant'='shecant'
'shecant' is an anagram of 'CHASTEN'.

(Other definitions for chasten that I've seen before include "Castigate or punish" , "Subdue the pride of, discipline" , "Censure severely" , "Humble" , "Moderate" .)

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